Jean Lewis Beebe, teacher, shop owner

Jean Lewis Beebe, a former teacher and shop owner who was active in St. Stephen’s Church, died on Monday, Sept. 9, at her home on Florida Road surrounded by her family and pets. She was 71 years old and the wife of David Chapin Beebe Jr., her husband of 49 years.
Jean Evelyn Lewis Beebe was born on Oct. 4, 1930 in New York City, the younger of two children. Her father, Dr. Kenneth Lewis, was the head of the New York Medical Society and a renowned surgeon at Bellevue Hospital. Her mother, Evelyn, was active with the Altar Guild at the Episcopal “Church of the Heavenly Rest” in New York City.
Mrs. Beebe grew up in the city, with Central Park as her “backyard.” She graduated from the Brearley School in New York City and began her college studies for her first two years at Sweet Briar ColIege in Virginia before completing her undergraduate degree in 1953 at Connecticut College in New London. A month after graduation, she married her childhood sweetheart, David, on June 13, 1953 in New York City.
During her life she worked as a elementary school teacher and after raising three children, was the owner of a children’s and gift store, “The House at Pooh Corner” in Tenafly, N.J.
Upon retiring in 1989, the couple left Englewood, N.J., and relocated to Ridgefield where they bought a 1785 home, Bellwether, that had once been a stagecoach stop. She had been active with the Altar Guild and volunteered at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
The Beebes liked to spend the summer and go boating in Pine Orchard, a section of Branford. She had summered in Pine Orchard as a child and at the age of 13 met her future husband there. Early in their marriage the Beebes sailed on the coast, and in recent years had turned to motor yachts, traveling the Eastern Seaboard as far south as the Florida Keys.
Mrs. Beebe was known affectionately as “Tabby,” a nickname that reflected her love of cats. She was also an accomplished flower gardener.
“Jean was known for her wonderful sense of humor and enjoyment pared with her infectious laugh, especially in the company of her family and friends,” her family said.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Beebe is survived by three children: Evelyn Beebe Handy and her husband Stephen of Ridgefield, David Chapin Beebe III and his wife Andrea of Ridgefield, and Scott Martin Beebe and his wife Brenda of Chatham, N.J.; by seven grandchildren: Jean Lucretia Handy, John David Beebe, and Ryan Scott Beebe of Ridgefield, and Vanessa Jean Beebe, Alyssa Helen Beebe, Katelyn Inez Beebe and Nicholas Scott Beebe of Chatham.
Her brother, Kenneth, died before her.
The Rev. John R. Gilchrist, rector, will lead a memorial service on Saturday Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
The family will receive guests in North Hall immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Danbury Hospital General Fund, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.