Louise Billy G Gallagher Souza

Passed away peacefully January 1, 2011 at her home surrounded by family. Louise, known as "Billy" also, was born December 5, 1922 in Vallejo, CA. She is the widow of the late Robert "Bob" R. Souza and daughter of late Nelle Long Gallagher and Donald Gallagher of Kentfield, CA. She is the only sister of Mary Anna Gallagher, who currently resides in Kentfield, CA. She is the mother of twins Marian Souza Bennett (Half Moon Bay, CA) and Edward G. Souza (Fairfax, CA) and two sons Paul W. Souza (Folsom, CA) and Donald J. Souza (San Anselmo, CA); grandmother to Katherine Christine ("KC") Souza, Greg Souza (children of Paul) and Laurel Bennett and Christopher Bennett (children of Marian).

Louise graduated from St. Rose Academy in San Francisco, Dominican University in San Rafael. She spent three years as a U.S. Navy Wave during World War II between 1945-1947. She returned home to obtain further study and obtain a graduate degree from Stanford School of Business.

Louise put her business and statistics education to work at Moore Business Forms, California Division of Labor Statistics & Research and California Public Utilities Commission. At that point she terminated employment to raise a family, and she was a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom until her youngest child finished high school. During this time, she directed a home-based day care center part time during the school year months. After many years of volunteer work in various fields, she took a position with Scott Laboratories in Petaluma, where she remained until she retired in 2007.

She was passionate about her volunteer activities with Common Health Care, the Arthritis Foundation (with whom she one was of the Marin branch co-founders) and St. Vincent de Paul. She was a long time member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Parlor 198, and a long time member of St. Rita's Parish in Fairfax, Ca and the St. Rita's St. Vincent de Paul conference.

Services at St. Rita's Church, Fairfax CA January 9, 2011. 1:00 PM Rosary; 2:00 PM Mass followed by a Reception.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Church, St. Vincent's Conference at St. Rita's Church or Native Daughters of the Golden West, Marinita Parlor.

Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael, CA.