Dorothy Regina Gallagher

Dorothy Regina Gallagher, nee Devlin, of Montvale, NJ and Sanibel Island, FL, passed into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Valley Hospital, Paramus after an overwhelming battle with cancer. Dorothy was preceded in death by her cherished husband of 58 years, Marty, loving mother of Martin III (Carolann), Brian (Pamela), Colleen Blake (Kevin), proud grandmother of Martin IV (Sarah), Ryan (Kayla), Caisey, Taylor (Nathan), Brendan, Vaughn, Jace, and Owen, caring daughter of the late Dorothy Devlin (James), oldest sister to Marie Lynch (John), Peggy Meyer (Joe), and James (Angie).

Dorothy is survived by a large, loving family of relatives by birth and by marriage, all of whom she loved with all of her heart. Known affectionately as Dor, Dorothy, Dot, Dottie, Mom, Grandma, and Nana, she will truly be missed by all.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 23, 1940, Dorothy attended St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School and Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School. At 16 she met and fell in love with Marty on the steps of St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where they would marry five years later. They went on to begin raising their three children blocks from that church and school before settling down in Montvale, NJ in 1972 where she became a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Park Ridge, NJ until her passing. Dorothy was also an active and devoted parishioner of St Isabel Catholic Church in Sanibel, FL for more than 40 years.

Dorothy most of all enjoyed spending time with Marty, the love of her life, and their entire family as well as their many close friends, some of whom shared lifelong relationships with her. They traveled widely and often, living for many years in Sanibel while managing to divide their time between there and Montvale. Through all of their years together they never forgot to enjoy every moment and appreciate the simple blessings, whether it be dinner on the patio in Montvale with a glass of wine or meeting with neighbors on the beach for sunset in Sanibel, also with a glass of wine.

Dorothy was passionate about service and always looked for ways to help others. That continued right up until her passing. Whether formally as a member of organizations like Meals on Wheels, Birthright, the OLM Parents Guild, and the Captiva Island Yacht Club or informally by cooking and shopping for neighbors, volunteering at a hospital, and supporting countless charities, Dorothy selflessly dedicated her time and resources to helping others. Her faith in God, the Catholic Church, and the power of prayer were the foundation of her life and guided her daily.

The family will receive visitors at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7p.m. to 9p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Mercy Catholic Church, 2 Fremont Ave., Park Ridge, NJ at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her memory to either Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church of Park Ridge or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.