Eleanor Beauvais, 89, Canton

CANTON — Ellie Beauvais, 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, NY from complications due to age.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bill Beauvais (May 2017) of Canton.

Ellie was born to the late Robert and Sarah (Boucher) Sheehan of Harvard, MA on January 26, 1937.

She attended Bromfield High School and graduated top of her class in 1955.

Ellie knew at a young age that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She saved up all her money from babysitting and lifeguarding jobs to attend college at Framingham State University in Massachusetts.

She graduated with high honors in Elementary Education with a minor in music in 1959. Ellie taught at S Hadley Falls Elementary School in MA from 1959 to 1961.

Ellie then married the love of her life, William (Bill) Beauvais, on July 15, 1961, and started a family.

Ellie continued her education at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA and obtained her master's degree in Education in 1964 while also rearing their children and working as a substitute teacher.

During the first six years of their marriage they had 4 children and moved from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut due to Bill's employment.

They then settled in Long Valley, NJ from 1968 to 1975 where Bill was employed as a Farm Manager.

It was during this time that Ellie stayed home to raise their children, but, true to her nature, she never stopped progressing and learning new things.

Ellie was musically gifted at a young age and could play the piano and organ. She joined a church folk group choir in the 1970's and learned to play the guitar and autoharp.

She was also a member of the civic group, The Long Valley Jr. Women's Club.

She and Bill were master gardeners and harvested many delicious vegetables. Bread was baked, children's clothes were sewn and swimming lessons were taught all while raising four children.

In 1975, the family bought a farm and moved to Canton, NY.

Ellie began teaching at St. Mary's School in 1976 and retired as a principal in 2001. She loved being an educator!

Ellie was also a choir director at St. Mary's Catholic Church and continued in that role for 42 years.

Many times she could be seen swooping into church with a guitar in one hand and musical folders flapping in the other.

Queen of multitasking, she was also a 4-H leader, family chauffeur, gardener, and seamstress.

As a grandmother or aka "Nanny", she loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and helped them with their school projects, sewing projects, and sports.

Ellie loved to hear the latest news and liked to retell the story with many embellishments, of course. She loved to know what was going on in the family.

Surviving Ellie are her daughters Maryellen (Mark) Cooke of Akwesasne, NY; Maryann (Hung) Tran, of Attleboro, MA; Marybeth (Kris) Fletcher of Florence, AZ; and her son, Joe (Connie) Beauvais, of Liberty, SC; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Downing of Keene NH; and brother, John Sheehan of Harvard, MA.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Farrar Home in Malone, NY for the wonderful care and attention they gave her while she resided there.

We would also like to thank all the healthcare workers at the Alice Hyde Hospital in Malone, NY for their compassionate service and end-of-life care for our Mother.

Friends and family are invited to the grave side service Wednesday, September 30th at 11 am at St. Mary's Cemetery followed by a funeral luncheon at St. Mary's School in Canton, NY.

The family has entrusted care and arrangements to Frary Funeral Home, 530 East Main Street, Malone, 518-483-5750.

Ellie's life was an expression of love and generosity, and her legacy will continue to be cherished by those who were fortunate to know her.

To remember Ellie, share your stories, photographs, and tributes on her memorial page at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.