Mary Callanan

TOPSHAM – Mary Gamble Callanan, 91, passed peacefully on Nov. 18, 2022, at The Highlands in Topsham, Maine. Born in Albany, New York, on April 16, 1931, Mary was the third and youngest child born to Isabel Davidson Gamble and Thomas Owen Gamble, MD. She graduated from the Albany Academy for Girls in 1949 and went on to study at Middlebury College. 

Mary met Charles R. “Chuck” Callanan, the love of her life, at a holiday party in 1950. She enjoyed recounting the story of that night, when Chuck walked in wearing his Navy dress whites. It was love at first sight, and within hours Mary was seated on his lap as they began planning their honeymoon. Their instant bond, which grew richer and stronger throughout their 60-plus years together, provided the sustaining core of Mary’s life. 

Mary and Chuck were married on Aug. 9, 1952, and went on to have six children: Reid, Tom, Martha, Sarah, Owen and “Miss” Mary. The numerous challenges of parenting a large family, in particular those of dear Owen – whose special needs proved both unique and enigmatic – were a natural fit for Mary’s many talents and gifts. 

Mary’s warm and generous hospitality was legendary, and she routinely welcomed guests to join the family table for dinner or to share in the good cheer and great food that defined her parties. She made sure there was always a warm bed in the house to offer a guest, including John Gookin and Sonia de Oliveira, who were embraced as members of the household.

A gifted and prolific watercolor artist, Mary mastered many crafts over several decades with boundless energy and inspiration. She also sported a bright green thumb, and managed to fill every home she made with well-tended houseplants, create bountiful vegetable gardens, and design beautiful floral landscapes.

Mary was an avid reader, and she shared her love of books by reading aloud classic tales to three generations of mesmerized Callanan offspring. She served for several years on the Board of Trustees of the Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth, and then served as President of Friends of the Library. Mary played a central role in the creation of the Children’s Room at the Library.

Endlessly inquisitive and always up for an adventure, Mary loved to travel with family and friends in tow. She managed to explore much of the globe, journeying to China, Japan, New Zealand, Tanzania and Kenya, multiple countries in Europe and islands the Caribbean, in addition to scores of destinations across both Canada and the U.S. 

Mary was a staunch supporter of many organizations throughout her life, particularly those dedicated to providing educational scholarships in nursing and music, as well as environmental non-profits focused on the preservation of nature and public lands. 

With her ever-present camera, Mary managed to capture the lives of her family and many good friends. She produced dozens of massive photo albums and scrap books which document the Callanan family history over more than 50 years. They are a cherished legacy of a life well lived, surpassed only by her beloved Yassou, the family home at Popham Beach that Mary imbued with her hallmark charm, comfort and beauty. 

Mary’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She delighted in being “Gram” to her ten grandchildren and “GiGi” to her two great-grandchildren. They all share warm memories of happy times spent with her, whether it was hiking over the mountain to Seawall, playing in the tidal pools or beachcombing for treasures at Popham Beach, baking and decorating holiday cookies, paddling the canoe up the Morse River, creating fairy houses with driftwood, moss and seashells, or cuddled beside her on the sofa reading a book together.

In her later years, Mary relied in part on wonderful close friends as well as her family to help her navigate life after the heartbreaking loss of Chuck to Alzheimer’s in 2012. With the progression of her own dementia, Mary was able to face the mounting obstacles in her life with the dedicated care and support of many people. Notably, Minie Polshuk and Mindy Robinson provided Mary with unwavering loyalty, assistance and friendship, with exceptional skill and dedication, throughout the last four years of her life. 

Mary is survived by her children: Reid Callanan, Thomas Callanan, Martha Callanan, Sarah Starbird, and Mary Hoellrich; grandchildren: E.J. Callanan, Bapu Griscom, Kaitlin Callanan, Tucker Callanan, Elizabeth Starbird, Bella Callanan, Alisha Starbird, Mary Sue Hoellrich, and Catherine Hoellrich; and great-grandchildren: Jeremy Kiefer and Olive Dascher Griscom. 

Mary is predeceased by: her husband, Charles Callanan; son, Owen Callanan; grandson, Peter Callanan; parents Isabel and Thomas Gamble; and siblings, Isabel MacCaffrey and Lt. Col. Thomas Gamble, Jr.

A private memorial celebration of Mary’s life will be held by her family at a later date.

Those who wish to honor Mary are encouraged to make a donation to the Phippsburg Land Trust in her name (www.phippsburglandtrust.org)