Gertrude Gallagher

Sister Gertrude Gallagher, RSM, 99, of Ballymote, Ireland, formerly of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church at Cuan Catherina Care Center in Castlebar, Ireland. She was born on November 22, 1916, in Killasser Parish County Mayo, Ireland, the eldest of eight children to Andrew and Margaret Gallagher. She made her religious vows on October 3, 1938 in Ballymote, Ireland. For many years after her profession, she served as principal and teacher in many of the community schools in Ireland. She came to central Missouri in 1972, where she was among one of the first group of sisters to come as teachers to St. Joseph's Cathedral School in Jefferson City. Two years later, she returned to Ballymote, Ireland where she served as teacher and principal. Upon her retirement from teaching, she came back to central Missouri and was a pastoral minister at St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Osage Bend, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville, St. George Catholic Church in Linn and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jefferson City. She traveled back to Ireland in 2003, where she retired with her community of sisters in Ballymote, Ireland. Sister Gertrude had a great love for people and generously gave of her service to anyone in need. She was very well known for her Irish Soda Bread, sharing her gift of baking with everyone. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Australia to visit her brother, A.J., and annually for vacation back to Ireland with her family and sisters. She had a love for watercolors and enjoyed painting, especially naturistic scenes. She is survived by two sisters: Grainne Stanford of Los Angeles, California and Sr. Angela Gallagher in England; one brother: A. J. Gallagher in Melborne, Australia; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville, Missouri with Fr. Ignazio C. Medina officiating. Burial was held in Ballymote, Ireland. Arrangements in Missouri are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109; (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com