Noreen Patrice Gallagher's Obituary
On August 30, 2025, Noreen P. Gallagher said her final goodbye while in the company of her loving family. She started her final journey on the twentieth anniversary of her father’s passing, a beautiful summer day, while gazing at a garden of flowers, butterflies, and birds. The breeze touched her face as the sounds of the beach drifted through the air.
Noreen lived with constant humility and compassion. She offered her time freely, gave her material possessions and shared her knowledge, particularly with the very young and most recently with the apple of her eye, her granddaughter. Noreen spent her life aiding and uplifting others, gave to the church regularly and supported friends and family in all matters - without regard for her wants or needs. Her positive spirit was contagious and her work ethic, extraordinary.
Noreen encouraged learning at every opportunity. She was an avid reader, a great listener and perpetual student, loved teaching children about nature. Noreen was an exceptional musician, playing several instruments by ear.
She loved warm weather, good coffee, sunshine and beaches. Traveling, cooking and gardening were her favorite hobbies. Gardening seemed to be most enjoyed, which is fitting considering that her first word was “flower”.
Most of all, Noreen loved her granddaughter. She spent every minute she could doting on her and, as only Noreen could, teaching her while having fun. She would frequently share pictures and stories of their adventures.
Noreen’s adventurous spirit prompted her to live and travel throughout the country and northern Mexico, with a special fondness of New Mexico. She shared many stories of her travels including trivialities of local culture.
Noreen was predeceased by her father, William. She is survived by her children, Robert (Bianca), Jason and Autumn (Gage) and grandchildren Raelynn and Lucas. Noreen was the beloved daughter of Marjorie. She will be missed profoundly by her sisters and brothers, Paula, Sally, Christopher, Ann, Michael (Pauline), Margaret (Salvatore), Thomas (Jeanne), James (Susan), William (Ana), Charles (Judith), Joan and Mary (James). Noreen will be lovingly remembered by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and her aunt Rose and uncle Bernard.
A viewing will be held at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach DE on Tuesday, September 9th at 10:00 am, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am. The burial will be held privately with the family.
For those who may want to honor Noreen’s memory, donations may be made in her name to Lower Cape Fear Hospice (https://lifecare.org/). Flowers may be sent to Parsell Funeral Homes (https://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/)
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.”
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