Elizabeth A. Gallagher's Obituary
Elizabeth A. (nee Lennon) Gallagher (Betty) of Cedar Grove, NJ
Born 20 March 1931 in Montclair, NJ
Died 25 May 2025 Milford, Delaware
Betty was the third daughter of John and Dorothy (nee Knell) Lennon. Her older sisters Theresa Shanagher and Mary Tavares, as well as her younger brother, Jack Lennon, predeceased her.
After graduating from Bloomfield High School in 1948, Betty worked in the offices of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, and Fenner in New York City.
March 3, 1951, Betty married her High School sweetheart, the late Edward J. Gallagher (d. 2011). Married for 60 years, Betty and Ed had seven children: Edward J. Gallagher, Jr., Thomas M. Gallagher, Kathleen A. Gallagher (d. 2011), Peggy E. Shipman, Colleen M. Gallagher, Steven A. Gallagher, and Paul K. Gallagher.
In 1957 Betty and Ed moved from Bloomfield, NJ to Cedar Grove, NJ. where she resided for 63 years.
The family grew as the grandchildren were born. Peggy is the mother of Jeffrey Shipman, April Lienhard, and James Shipman. Ed is the father of Erin and E. John Gallagher. Colleen is the mother of Kelly Grigg and Kim Trautz. Paul is the father of Megan, Michael, and Ryan Gallagher.
Her six great-grandchildren include Michael, Marissa, Sofia, and Sydney Shipman, Kyla Lienhard, and Chloe Grigg.
Betty enjoyed her life as a spouse, mother, and homemaker. She enjoyed baking, Glenn Miller music, and directing her children. Betty loved ice cream and chocolate. Ed was an incredible tease and put an open box of chocolates under their bed one night. She nearly went crazy with the smell of the chocolate and the inability to find it.
As she and Ed became empty nesters, Betty began working at First Savings Bank in Little Falls, NJ. She started as a teller and eventually became the Branch Manager of the West Paterson and then the Singac branches.
In 1985, Betty began to regularly go to Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls. Previously, she had been going to St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Cedar Grove. Over the years at Holy Angels, Betty served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Funeral Assistant. She assisted at multiple masses during the week and on Saturdays. One friar is known to have quipped that she was the holiest woman he knew who never went to mass on Sunday. 2008, Betty was awarded the Francis Medal from the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province. This Medal was given in recognition of her participation in ministry with the friars over the years. She was very honored to have received this award. The Knights of Columbus Council 3835, associated with Holy Angels Parish, recognized Betty as the Senior Citizen of the Year that same year.
Thank you for your prayers for Betty over the last few years. Her many friends' love and concern have blessed her greatly.
Special thanks to Steve and Mary Gallagher for their patience and compassion for Betty these last several years. Managing the affairs of a woman who has always been in control is no easy feat!
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Jude the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Dr. Lewes DE. 19958 where viewing will begin at 10:30 AM. Burial will be private
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
A future memorial mass at Our Lady of the Holy Angels will be scheduled soon.
FLORIST NOTE - PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 28 2025 BY 3 PM AT THE LEWES LOCATION.
Please sign Mrs. Gallagher's tribute wall at this site.
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