Gabrielle "Gabby" Katherine (Meehan) Bryan, age 84, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020. Gabby was born November 25, 1935 in Mexico City, Mexico to Susana Romero Meehan and Joseph William Meehan. She grew up mostly in Mexico City and Cuba. Gabby attended Texas Western College (now UT-El Paso) where her interests included journalism and archaeology. While at Texas Western, she met her husband George Anthony Bryan, Jr. They lived very full lives in El Paso TX, University Park PA, Berkeley and Alturas CA, Paisley OR, and Nacogdoches, Port Neches, and Beaumont, TX. Gabby was active in many organizations during her 50 years in Beaumont, including the Red Cross, PTA, Bluebirds and Campfire Girls (leader), 4H, and the YWCA, where she was a swim instructor. She was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Beaumont, and donated regularly to several charities, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Native American Charities.
Gabby had a lifelong love for books. She read avidly, mostly in the mystery and suspense genres. She also stayed informed on current events, and enjoyed magazines such as National Geographic, Science, The Atlantic, and Texas Monthly. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, including the New York Times, and had a vast knowledge of literature. She retired in 2008 from her dream job, working at the R.C. Miller location of the Beaumont Public Library.
Gabby loved walking East Texas Beaches looking for shark’s teeth and fossils and over the years, collected fossil horse, camel, and pig teeth and bones. She enjoyed seeing the shrimp boats, sea birds, porpoises, as well as fishing.
Other hobbies included playing bridge with her family, doing jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, and bargain hunting, as well as listening to classical music on KVLU.
Gabby loved her family and friends dearly, especially her dogs.
Gabby is survived by four sons: George Bryan and his wife Cheryl of Beaumont, Charles Bryan of Albuquerque NM, Joe Bryan and his wife Carolina of Beaumont, and John Bryan and his wife Bernadette of Clear Lake, TX; daughter Sue Bryan of LaMarque, TX; brother Joseph W. Meehan of Mexico City, Mexico; granddaughter Alicia Sanders and her husband Scott of Lumberton; granddaughter Meaghan Bryan of Clearlake; great-grandson Troy Sanders of Lumberton; sister-in-law Joan Lerner and husband Edward Lerner of Massachusetts; and numerous Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.
Gabby was preceded in death by her husband George A. Bryan, Jr., father Joseph William Meehan, and mother Susana Romero de Meehan.
Everyone who met Gabby said she was the sweetest person. Gabby will be loved and missed by all who knew her, including her precious pets Rex, Missy, and Scout.
A celebration of Gabby’s life will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnmpfh.com for the Bryan family.
