Patricia Mary Gallagher

Pat was the daughter of Frances & Hervey Martin of McKenna, Washington. She was predeceased by her husband Richard Gallagher. She is survived by her children: Pat (Boston, MA); Michael (Gloucester, MA); Maureen (Nyack, NY); Rick and his wife Kristin (Litchfield, CT); and Ray and his wife Joan (East Bridgewater, MA). She is also survived by 8 beloved grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pat was a Marine, a devoted mother, a Registered Nurse and a volunteer. She joined the Marine Corps in WWII where she met her husband, a fellow Marine. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, but one day saw an ad for a job that would allow her to be off when her children were not in school. The USMC had trained her to drive heavy equipment and she didn’t think a school bus would be much more difficult. She was one of the first women school bus drivers in the Clarkstown School district. While she enjoyed interacting with the children on her route, she had always dreamed of being a nurse. She accomplished this by first becoming an LPN and soon after an RN. She had a career as a recovery room nurse at Nyack Hospital for over 30 years. Our mother enjoyed volunteering for causes she cared about. She was Grandma Pat for 10 years of West Nyack Elementary School kindergarteners, as well as a Cub Scout Den mother and a Girl Scout Troop leader. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, stopping when she was 92. She was part of the early crew at Rockland Lake for decades, circling the Lake daily year round. Pat won many medals in charity walks owing to her training at the Lake. She was an active member of the New City United Methodist church for 65 years.

A wake will be held at Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main St, New City, NY 10956, from 11-1 on Wednesday, January 27th, 2021. Masks and social distancing will be required.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to either the New City United Methodist Church or Rockland County Meals on Wheels