Obituary of Gladys C Beebe

Gladys C. Beebe, 84, of Odessa, NY passed away on Sunday, December 8,2024 at Schuyler Hospital. Gladys was born on October 7, 1940 in Montour Falls, NY the daughter of the late Russell Crainey and Myrtle States Crainey. With her parents and brother, Gladys spent her formative years in Cayuta, New York.

She is survived by a daughter Kathie Beebe of Odessa; a son Kevin (Lisa) Beebe of Watkins Glen; a brother Gerald (Joyce) Crainey; sisters-in-law Marian Bolin-Beebe and Connie Beebe; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Merton E. Beebe.

Gladys retired as a teacher in 1998 after 35 years of dedicated service. She taught young children in the Horseheads school district for two years before spending the next 33 years at her alma mater, Odessa-Montour Central School, educating 3^rd and then 4^th graders. In the 1985/86 school year, she transitioned to working with children in the 4^th grade and stayed in that position until she retired. Jokingly, she would often say as well as her own children that she finally got “smart enough” to be able to move on from 3^rd grade to teach 4^th graders. She took great pride in developing a classroom management system that many peers sought to emulate and always pursued professional development activities to the degree of obtaining Reading Certification from Elmira College in addition to the Master’s Degree that she received from the same institution. Not enough can be said for her dedication to her profession and the enjoyment she received from witnessing the development of those she had in her classroom.

Gladys was a devoted wife and mother. She enthusiastically took part in her children’s activities whether it was showing horses, attending sporting events, or running a concrete lawn ornament business at the Windmill. She was the moral compass of her family, and along with her husband, instilled character traits in her children who will be forever grateful for their upbringing. Gladys enjoyed reading, crocheting/knitting in her early years, and in her later years watching her favorite You Tube channels. It is without doubt she will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Vedder-Scott & Zinger Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls, NY. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Schuyler County, 124 Marina Dr., Montour Falls, NY 14865.