Emily “Lee” Birdsall (formerly Johnson) Callman, 92, of Belvidere, previously of Rumson, passed away into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus, Sept. 10, 2021, at The Chelsea at Brookfield.
Lee was born March 26, 1929, in Fitkin Hospital (now Jersey Shore University Medical Center) in Neptune, to the late Arthur Myron and Emily Couse Birdsall, both very talented, lifelong artists: Arthur a soloist singer and piano player and Emily a painter of landscapes, portraits and still life. Lee attended Asbury Park High School and was the drum majorette leading the high school band during football halftime performances. Lee volunteered with her sisters, aunts, mother and grandmother during World War II, darning socks for the troops and others and often spoke of wartime blackouts in Interlaken and Asbury Park. Her family kept their windows sealed at night with blackout curtains drawn tight so that patrolling German submarines and ships could not see silhouettes of Allied ships and structures from the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
A lover of the many blessings of her journey, “LeeLee,” as she was often affectionately called, lived a beautiful and artistic life. A gifted musician, she attended Connecticut College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music, excelling in piano and organ. She continued to practice, study, play and perform throughout her life.
Over the years, she played both piano and organ for shows, church services, celebrations in Rumson and other musical events. One of her greatest gifts and proudest accomplishments was serving as accompanist for the The Shrewsbury Chorale for 20 years. She sang with the fabulous choir at St Georges-by-the-River, as choir member and soloist for about 50-plus years and loved her fellow choir members. She loved the creative process which unfolded through rehearsals to the Sunday services.
In addition to her love with the choir, Lee volunteered many years for the church’s Canterbury Fair. Possessing a “green thumb,” Lee was a member of the Rumson Garden Club and was always so excited to watch her own gardens grow every year. She loved entertaining, preparing memorable meals and visiting with family and friends. One of her favorite things was laughing with those she loved, often to the point where tears would run down her cheeks.
Lee was the “First Lady of Rumson,” serving the borough beside her beloved Chillie (Charles Stuart Callman), her husband for almost 35 years and mayor of Rumson for much of that time. Together, they adored the borough and all of the first responders in Rumson. Lee never stopped talking about the outstanding first responders and never forgot them – even talking to her daughter, E.A. about them in recent days.
Lee was also known to sing the national anthem on many occasions such as Memorial Day celebrations.
An avid golfer, she participated in many benefit tournaments, such as Family and Children’s Services, at Rumson Country Club, where she was a member. She was also a member of Seabright Beach Club, Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club.
Lee is survived and very much missed by her three children: Raymond Frank Johnson III, Amy Johnson Swanson (John Paton), and Elizabeth Ann “E.A.” Buck (Michael Norman) and her grandchildren, Paul Russell Swanson, Anna Kathleen Swanson, Alan Christopher Swanson and Daniel Charles Cardaci (Buck). She also leaves behind her cherished great-granddaughters Sloan Paton Swanson and Taylor Russell Swanson, as well as her cousin Elizabeth Ann (née Couse) Jacobus Hardy, formerly of Interlaken and now of Tinton Falls, and many nieces and nephews whom she adored and wrote birthday cards for many, many years.
In addition to her parents, Emily is predeceased by her husband Charles Stuart “Chillie” Callman (2012), her sisters Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” (née Birdsall) Kohl and Lida Birdsall Hale, and her first husband, Dr. Raymond Frank Johnson Jr. (1988).
A funeral service was held Sept. 22 at The Chapel at Warren Valley, Washington. An interment service will take place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at Atlantic View Cemetery, 49 Forest Ave., Manasquan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the name of Emily B. Callman to the following charities that Lee was passionate about: LunchBreak, lunchbreak.org, 121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard, Red Bank, NJ 07701; and Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org, an organization honoring first responders, veterans, their families and those in need.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home, Washington. To send an online condolence please visit warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the September 23 – 29, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
