Mary Gamble Callanan

Mary Gamble Callanan, 91, passed peacefully on November 18th 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. They were married on August 9, 1952 and went on to have five children in Selkirk, NY (Reid, Tom, Martha, Sarah, and Owen), before relocating the family to Baltimore, MD in 1966. They enjoyed twelve happy years in Lutherville, highlighted by the addition of sixth child "Miss" Mary, and Chuck's nine-year tenure as Headmaster at the Park School.

Mary and Chuck moved north with Miss Mary in 1978 to Yarmouth, Maine, where Mary became an active member of the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the local library, and hosting hundreds of local schoolchildren over the course of three decades with Chuck at their legendary apple cider-pressing and maple-sugaring events.

Mary was a gifted artist, green thumb, legendary hostess, avid reader and adventurous traveler. She was a staunch supporter of many organizations, especially those promoting education and the preservation of nature and public lands. Mary will be remembered fondly by her many dear friends and by three generations of family members for her warmth, generosity, humor and kindness.

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.

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 (https://phippsburglandtrust.org).