Mildred Gallagher

Mildred “Millie” Elizabeth Sheppard Gallagher, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Millie was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 25, 1929 as the youngest child of the late Elizabeth and Elmer Sheppard.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, James P. Gallagher and her siblings Howard Sheppard, James Sheppard, Anetta Wise and Henrietta Bruno and her in-laws, James and Letitia Gallagher and daughters-in-law, Marlene Gallagher and Joan Gallagher.

Millie was a life-long devout Roman Catholic. She attended weekly Mass at St. Bartholomew and St. Boniface Catholic Churches until ill health prevented her from doing so. She then watched Mass on TV until her death. Millie was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As a young woman of 19 years, Millie worked as a clerk at G. C. Murphy Co. where she met her future husband, Jim. He was a stock boy. When she spotted him she said, “I’m going to marry that man some day,” and she did in September of 1950 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Pittsburgh. As a young family, they moved many times…Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, back to Pennsylvania and then finally to Hollywood/Pembroke Pines in Florida all while their family was growing.

Millie went to work as a cafeteria worker in the Broward County school system where she eventually became a manager. She had over 20 years of service and was well loved by teachers, staff and especially the students.

Millie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was known for her kind and thoughtful ways. She knew just the right words to lift up sad or troubled souls. Everyone would leave feeling better after time spent with Millie. She was an avid letter writer, keeping up hand-written correspondence with family and friends, never missing a birthday or special occasion. She even authored a mini-autobiography in the form of letters to her grandchildren, entitled, “Dear Grandchildren,” written between 1996-2000. ,

Millie’s super power was offering compliments. There was never a letter written without one or several of them. Even store clerks, fellow travelers, doctors, nurses, mailmen or strangers were the benefactors of her complimentary words offered in person. Millie looked on the bright side of everything and everyone in her life. She had a peaceful and calming manner that made people want to be around her.

Millie loved reading, dancing and family gatherings best of all.

Millie is survived by her children: James (Antoinette) Gallagher of Tamarac, FL, Thomas Gallagher of Dunnellon, FL, Kathleen (James) Frank of North Lawrence, Ohio, Susan (John) Valdez of Arvada, CO and Sharon Sheridan of Pembroke Pines, FL.

Grandchildren:

Jamie (Ben) Smeiles of Akron, OH, Shawn (Katherine) Gallagher of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Matthew(Jennifer) Frank of Morgantown, WV, Bradley (Pamela) Frank of Morgantown, WV, Stephanie Velez of Pembroke Pines, FL, Jackie (Ryan) Burgess of Arvada, CO, Wade (Gaby) Sheridan of Hollywood, FL, Mike (Lizzie) Buch of Arvada, CO.

Great Grandchildren:

Marshall Frank, Rachel Smeiles, Claire Smeiles, Luke Smeiles, Jack Gallagher, Millie C. Gallagher, Dylan Velez, Vada Frank, Jett Frank, Demi Frank, Liam Buch, Sienna Burgess.

The Gallagher siblings would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and undying gratitude to their sister Sharon, who was their mother’s main care giver for over 8 years allowing Millie to stay in her own home where she felt safe and happy. Special thanks also to brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Toni, who provided much needed additional caregiving support along with weekly home cooked meals. And granddaughter, Stephanie, for always being there when needed. Sincere thanks to Rose Williams for her dedicated long-term ,

caregiving and other staff from SensiCare, Loveable Family and Trustbridge Hospice.

Visitation will be at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 21 from 11 am to 12 noon. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon followed by burial at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens.

A Visitation will be held on January 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at St. Bartholomew Catholic Parish, located at 8005 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33025.

A Celebration of Life will follow on January 21, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the same location.

A Special Procession will take place on January 21, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens, located at 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024.