I just read about your mother's passing. The girls and I want to add our condolences and prayers to those here for all the family. Our best,

We are sorry we couldn't be with you all in person, but we pray you find some measure of peace. Your mom was a very interesting, lively gal, and I know her life was certainly enhanced by her loving, devoted family. Holding you in our hearts with tender care, Kathy, Kelly, Manny, and Scout (Bloomington, IL)

Memorial contributions may be sent directly to the Little Sisters of the Poor, at 
2345 86th Street West 
Indianapolis IN 46260-1905

Maurenn, John, Justin and Mort,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Though it has been a while since I've seen Aunt Inez, I remember her fondly. Wish I could be there with you to celebrate her life and mourn her passing. May God provide you solace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.  Wishing you all to remain positive and strong during your loss and keep all of your great memories forever!  The Blackwell's.

John, Maureen, Justin, Mort and family,
Loretta and I feel your loss, and send you our prayers during this difficult time. Uncle Pat and Aunt Inez will always be remembered by us for their caring, loving and joyful attitude during our infrequent visits, and by the many stories within the family. Despite the distance, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John [Jr] and Loretta Ray

John, Maureen, Justin, Mort, 
I am  so sorry for the loss of your mother. I'm sure mom  & dad were there to greet her! I remember the first time I met Inez, she came to pick mom up for swimming lessons, and all the great parties after midnight mass! She and your dad were great friends to mom and dad. Know that your familys are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

The Gallagher family wishes to acknowledge our sister Maureen for composing the eulogy for our Mother that appears in this guest book.

Mort, we are sending our deepest condolences to you as well as your family. Our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. 

God Bless, The Clouse Family

I am so sorry for your loss.  Thinking of you, and prayers to your whole family.

I hope and pray that peace finds you.  

Sincerely,
Rae Prepster
Friend to Justin, Mort, Connie, and the kids

Prayers are with you John, Justin,Mort, and Maureen. Your mother had a wonderful sense of humor and loved you very much. More than anything else, it is my recollection that your mother was very instrumental in my forming a friendship with John. She and my mom were friends and I think she told my mom that she thought it would be a great idea if I would come over to play with John. But for that I would never have explored the woodsy areas around Beech Grove park in the summer of second grade and more than that, would not have formed a lifelong friendship with John! Thank you Inez!

Children and Grandchildren of Inez (taken July 25, 2011)

Seated, front row:
  Thellen Gallagher (married to John)
  Adrianna Gallagher (daughter of Justin)
  Tyler Gallagher (son of Justin)

Seated, second row
  John Gallagher (son of Inez)
  Maureen Gallagher (daughter of Inez)
  Allison Griner (step-daughter of Mort)

Standing
  Sam Gallagher (son of Mort)
  Collin Gallagher (son of Justin)
  Justin Gallagher (son of Inez)
  Mort Gallagher (son of Inez)
  Marcus Gallagher (son of Mort)

Mom’s Eulogy

We would like to thank those of you who have come here today, as well as those who attended the previous services to help us honor our mother, Inez.  She grew up in Perry County Indiana with her four brothers and one younger sister during the depression years.  She felt a strong connection to her family and her roots, and often told us stories of life on the farm. No doubt, those were hard times back then, but I cannot help but think that those early experiences helped to shape her into the woman she was.  I think it can be fairly and simply stated to say that Mom was a strong woman. She had strong beliefs and convictions, as well as a firm belief in God and country. 

Likewise, she was a loving mother who guided our young lives with a loving firmness to see that we all followed the rules, did well in school, and learned to treat one another with kindness and compassion. My brother John and I have often been reminded by many friends over the years telling us Mom just had a “presence” about her. This was so very true. Mom was very gracious, but often formal to newcomers into the home, but once she got to know you, you were just part of the family. Mom provided a listening ear and sage advice to many, and on occasion, a home to some. 

Mom loved music almost as much as my father.  We spent many hours gathered around together singing as a family as we were growing up. This tradition has not changed despite Dad’s passing and Mom’s aging.  Some of the staff at the nursing home probably thought on more than one occasion that we Gallagher’s were all a little crazy…but basically, to us it just meant that when Mom couldn’t come to the party…the party went to her. She had continued to be an integral part of our family. 

Other traditions included the annual Holy Name concert and party at the house on Main St.  Mom loved decorating the house and preparing for the after concert party. Each one of us had a job, and the house would be filled with music throughout all of the preparations. To us kids, all of the excitement of the concert and party was the real start of our Christmas celebration.  These are wonderful memories for all of us and I suspect for many of you as well.   

Our mother worked various jobs throughout much of her adult life as well as working hard at raising the four of us kids. She worked at Firestone, Bates Casket Company, an insurance company, was a realtor, and held other various positions. Mom would often state that her favorite job was the last one she had, working at Block’s Department Store.  She loved her co-workers, enjoyed assisting customers and preparing the displays. But her real passion was her children’s welfare. I remember Mom sitting by the fire many evenings and darning socks, or sewing extra cloth into our younger brothers’  pajamas with the feet which made them look pretty funny, but Mom would say that the only thing that ever wore out in those things were the knees. 

Both of our parent’s main focus was the family. There were lots of weekend camping trips. Our father loved to fish, and Mom, never being the real outdoorsy type, was a good sport. She was charitable. There were times when Mom quietly would be collecting and washing up used clothing, or going to garage sales to obtain inexpensive kitchen items.  This was usually for a neighbor, or a single mom who she had met and who was in need. 

It wasn’t really until I began my career in working in the field of social work that I had a full appreciation of what a great job my parents did at raising us. Now after 22 years of social work, I KNOW that they did a great job and I pray that I have adequately expressed my thanks to my parents sufficiently. As in most families, all was not perfect, but we grew up knowing that we were cared for and loved deeply.  It was important to Mom that we learn how to function independently and to carry ourselves in the world with dignity, self respect, and honesty.

As most of you are aware, Mom had the unfortunate experience of an early and debilitating health crisis at the age of fifty five. We lost a large part of who our mother was at that time. Nevertheless, through that experience, she and my dad taught us some significant life lessons in watching them accept and adjust to the challenges. It was not an easy task.  Mom worked hard to rehabilitate herself to come back from that event.  She told me once that she prayed to live because she still had two boys at home to rear.  Although her life was never the same, she came back so much further than the medical profession had ever expected.  Despite some significant cognitive deficiencies, Mom could still express herself with that succinct style and vocabulary that just always seemed to cut to the heart of the matter at hand. Mom still had this ability even within a few weeks of leaving us. Typically, she was usually right. 

Although our father was the practical joker of the family, Mom was not without an often matched sense of humor. I remember one occasion of having Mom over to my home in Illinois where we had dinner at home with two other friends.  Following dinner, we were playing scrabble around the kitchen table…and one friend was bemoaning the fact that she happened to be losing the game.  Mom rapidly quipped, “Well I don’t know what your problem is, I’ve got half a brain and I’m beating you.”  We all just roared with laughter, including the friend who was getting teased.  

Mom not only could laugh at her frailties, but could also take a joke.  Mort, the youngest would often tease Mom about being “Mother Goose”. That morphed into his going around the house and “Honk” when he’d see Mom.  “Goose” was the name that stuck.  However unrefined that term may have seemed to her, she accepted that as a sign of her children’s love and affection.  

One of the benefits to having survived her health crisis was the privilege of becoming a grandmother. My parents had six beautiful grandchildren who have been a blessing to us all. Although Mom could not physically be the typical doting grandmother type, she delighted in seeing the little ones who now, are not so little, and there is no doubt that she loved each and every one of them as best she could... and they loved her in return. 

We have been blessed to have Inez as our mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother. We will miss her and carry her close to our hearts always.

It is so hard when one we love leaves this life for the next, but I don't believe they ever truly leave us.  

I believe that her voice will still sound in your hearts and minds; offering you guidance, hope and love forever.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Inez M. Ray Gallagher

December 12, 1927 – July 26, 2011

Little & Sons Funeral Home

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