Obituary for Catherine Gallagher
Catherine Alice (Horan) Gallagher, 81, of Medfield passed away peacefully surrounded by family early Saturday, May 11, 2019. Beloved wife for 58 years of George F.X. Gallagher. Devoted mother to George of Norwood and Patrick and his wife Heather McSween of North Andover. Loving grandmother of Johnna Iannibelli of North Andover. Beloved sister to Maureen Majewski and her husband John of Weehawken, NJ and Michael Horan and his wife Kathy of NY, NY, and devoted sister-in-law to Joseph Piazza, James Maroney, and George Hochman. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and other family members who she cherished. She was predeceased by her sisters Peggy McCarthy and her late husband Daniel, Barbara Piazza, Patricia Maroney, and Eileen Hochman.
Catherine was the second of seven children born in New York City to the late Patrick and Ellen (McCloskey) Horan. It was while living and working in the city that Kay met her future husband and partner Georgie, and there that they began their love story of over 60 years, and eventually, their family. Catherine always retained the finest qualities and the accent of a true New Yorker even as work moved them to Massachusetts. She built her family’s house and home in Medfield in 1970 and found the community she would never leave.
Catherine’s years baking in the cafeteria for the lucky students of Dover Sherborn High School fostered a love and mastery of the craft that resulted in decades of annual anticipation of family and friends far and wide for the seemingly limitless assortment of Christmas cookies that would grace their doorstep each holiday season. She was also employed at UPS in Dedham, as well as Electric Time Company and Potpourri, both in Medfield.
Her life’s true joy and passion was her family, and Catherine’s devotion was endless. She put family first and foremost and passed along the values of love and loyalty that were instilled in her. Nothing made her happier than celebrations large or small with, and of, her family. Catherine’s love of the people in her life was surpassed perhaps only by her love of pets, particularly golden retrievers Casey and Rosco who are joyful to see their mom again.
A memorial service will be celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 133 Spring St. Medfield MA 02052 on Wed. May 22, 2019, at 10AM. Visiting hours will be at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller St. Medfield MA 02052 on Tues. May 21, 2019 from 4PM until 8PM. Memorial donations may be made in Catherine’s name to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St. Danvers MA 01923, or to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Rd. Hudson MA 01749.
Catherine was the second of seven children born in New York City to the late Patrick and Ellen (McCloskey) Horan. It was while living and working in the city that Kay met her future husband and partner Georgie, and there that they began their love story of over 60 years, and eventually, their family. Catherine always retained the finest qualities and the accent of a true New Yorker even as work moved them to Massachusetts. She built her family’s house and home in Medfield in 1970 and found the community she would never leave.
Catherine’s years baking in the cafeteria for the lucky students of Dover Sherborn High School fostered a love and mastery of the craft that resulted in decades of annual anticipation of family and friends far and wide for the seemingly limitless assortment of Christmas cookies that would grace their doorstep each holiday season. She was also employed at UPS in Dedham, as well as Electric Time Company and Potpourri, both in Medfield.
Her life’s true joy and passion was her family, and Catherine’s devotion was endless. She put family first and foremost and passed along the values of love and loyalty that were instilled in her. Nothing made her happier than celebrations large or small with, and of, her family. Catherine’s love of the people in her life was surpassed perhaps only by her love of pets, particularly golden retrievers Casey and Rosco who are joyful to see their mom again.
A memorial service will be celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 133 Spring St. Medfield MA 02052 on Wed. May 22, 2019, at 10AM. Visiting hours will be at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller St. Medfield MA 02052 on Tues. May 21, 2019 from 4PM until 8PM. Memorial donations may be made in Catherine’s name to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St. Danvers MA 01923, or to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Rd. Hudson MA 01749.