Obituary: Elaine E. Beal
July 29, 1940 - December 19, 2023
February 2, 2024On December 19, 2023, our beloved mother, Elaine Marie Early Beal, a traveler at heart, left this world for the final adventure, after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer.
Elaine Beal, 1940-2023
She was 83 years young.
Mom was born to Robert Edward and Catherine Huyett Early, in Washington, DC. She had an older sister, Margaret Early Hall.
She graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) and married Army Lt. William Ross Beal, Jr. of Brewster, New York, in 1964. Having lived in France and Germany during their first three years of marriage, she remained home during his tours in Vietnam after which they proceeded to travel the United States at the behest of the Army until Dad retired (as a lieutenant colonel) in 1979. In 1981, the family settled on a hillside in Waterbury Center, Vermont. Moving to Vermont was Dad's wish, but soon Mom fell in love also and came to develop a special fondness for Waterbury. After nearly half a lifetime moving around, Central Vermont became their permanent home.
Mom was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, friend, wife, mother and grandmother. She found great pleasure in keeping a robust network and was often the nexus keeping groups of friends and relatives in contact. Having inherited our parents’ wandering ways, Elaine also enjoyed meeting the friends we developed in our own travels.
Elaine’s accomplishments, service, contributions, and dedication are known by those she touched.
Since 2012, her biggest source of joy was her grandson, Willem Emanuel Skye Lundberg-Beal. She traveled to Sweden, often twice a year, to spend time with her Swedish family: her son Ross, Helene and Willem, and Helene's parents, brother, and his family.
In addition to Sweden, Mom traveled regularly, both with others and alone, and even up to her final year she thought nothing of driving up and down the eastern seaboard in her trusty Toyota, visiting friends and family. In recent years she created incredible memories, traveling even more of the world together with her daughter Cate (Sheryl).
Over the last year, Mom's comfort and joy was her grandson, with whom she never appeared to tire of playing cornhole, croquet, and endless repetitive board games. Though the times apart were difficult, they kept up a regular text and Skype exchange that was deeply meaningful to both.
During Willem’s absences and throughout her illness, her granddog, Cate’s dog Oliver, assumed a place on her lap. Never much of a dog lover, she nonetheless soon learned to love Oliver's constant companionship during the yearlong battle. During this time Cate, Oliver and Elaine enjoyed many early morning cuddles together.
Mom was beyond proud of the incredible father her son Ross (III) has become, and the life he and Helene are building with Willem in Sweden.
Feeling equal pride and gratitude, Mom was escorted through her final year with us by her daughter Cate. An ever-present friend, advocate and caregiver -- as Mom had been for so many others -- Cate became the rock Elaine and the family relied on.
Elaine loved the home that she and her husband Ross (Jr) had steadily renovated over the years and took great pride in the gardens that had evolved and in being a good neighbor. And it was there she passed away in comfort, after having her final conversation with her son and grandson, with Cate, as always, holding her hand.
Mom, Mommy, Far-mor (Swedish for grandmother), Elaine...you never knew, but now surely do, the depth of our love for you.
Services will be held in late June/early July. Another announcement will be made, and details provided closer to that time.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Waterbury Common Market (formerly called the Waterbury Area Food Shelf), Revitalizing Waterbury, or the Wounded Warrior Project.