Cornelia M. Gallant

Cornelia M. Gallant, age 98, of Fall River, entered into eternal life on March 13, 2024, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of the late Robert J. Gallant, to whom she had been married for 57 years.

Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of the late Henry F. and Margaret (Conroy) O'Neil. She was a loving mother to eight children: the late Robert Gallant Jr., Rev. Jon-Paul Gallant of Fall River, the late James Gallant, the late Christopher Gallant, David Gallant (with whom she made her home) and his life partner Dawn Dubois of Fall River, Timothy Gallant and his wife Robin of Somerset, Elizabeth Gallant Green and her husband Jonathan of Cambridge and Peter Gallant and his wife Carmen of Providence. She was the sister of the late Kathleen Liberi, Francis O'Neil, Margaret Crowley, John O'Neil and Grace Edwards.

A lifelong resident of Fall River, she was a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul School and Durfee High School, class of 1943. She worked for many years as an operator for the former New England Telephone, while raising her children. A woman of faith, she was a member of the former St. William's Parish and currently a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River. It was her loving desire to provide a Catholic education for all her children. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved to gather her "little family" around the table to share in food and much conversation. She was the last member of the "greatest generation" in her family.

In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Her open heart, quick wit and loving presence will be greatly missed.

Her funeral will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street Fall River followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in Holy Trinity Parish, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River.