Carolyn "Sunny" June Gallagher

Carolyn “Sunny” June Gallagher, 82, passed peacefully on August 25th, 2018, at her daughters which was her home away from home. She spent her final week surrounded by the love of her friends and family. She was a beautiful soul who made an everlasting impact on many lives.

Carolyn was born and raised in Ashtabula, Ohio. She was the daughter of Horace S. and Glennis R. (Martin) Hiner. She later moved to Southern California where she adopted the nickname, Sunny June and Sunny Buns because of her love for sunshine and cheerful disposition. She spent her remaining years living in The Valley of the Sun in Phoenix, AZ.

Sunny was a graduate of Ashtabula High School. In her professional life, she served as the Director of Contact Suicide Prevention Hotline in Ashtabula, Ohio; a drug and alcohol abuse counselor; secretary at Rockwell International; Hospice volunteer; massage therapist; naturopathic advocate; nanny; published poet/writer; professional driver.

Sunny was a true modern renaissance woman and unforgettable to all that met her. She was an attentive listener and always had a word of wisdom or a funny antidote to share. It wasn’t uncommon for her to pop on her red clown nose to bring a smile to someone’s face. She was a familiar face around town and was easily recognized with her signature hats and turquoise and silver rings. When asked about them she would quip that she was born with them.

In her early years, she was proud of her memorable days in the sun at the renowned Elysium Fields, Topanga Canyon, in Malibu, California, where she taught many workshops. She enjoyed crosswords; The Wheel of Fortune; reading; skip-bo; traveling; hotsprings; health rhythm drumming; singing; yard sales and was a true nature lover. It wasn’t uncommon for Sunny to endearingly end a conversation with a loved one by saying, “Hug a tree for me.”

One of her greatest accomplishments and joys in life was her beloved family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Betty Rich and brother, Howard Hiner. She is survived by; five children, Kathleen Gallagher, Kim Gallagher, Daniel (Sherry) Gallagher, William (Lisa) Gallagher, Kelly Gallagher-Blacksmith; 9 grandchildren, Brian, Lauren, Kyle, Kara, Megan, Michael, Stacey, Brianna, Orion, 11 great-grandchildren; Olivia, Madeline, Reagan, Elijah, Ellie, Adalai, Noah, Ethan, Evelyn, Elizabeth and Anna.

Sunny was truly an inspirational woman and will be missed by all. A Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. In the interim, please join her family in sharing memories, thoughts, pictures, or videos on her tribute wall at: www.advantagefunerals.com