Louise Galway Walsh

Louise Galway was born in 1927 in Boston, Massachusetts to James Galway and Elizabeth Scannell Galway. Her brother Murray was seven years older and they grew up with their extended family nearby. After graduating from Roslindale High School in Boston, Louise attended business school at a local college and then worked as a purchasing agent for a regional newspaper.

Louise moved to Santa Monica in 1955 and worked as a Purchasing Manager for A & W Root Beer. In 1963 she met and married the love of her life, John Dillon Walsh, with whom she had two children, Elaine and John. They moved to Westchester in 1965 and joined Visitation Parish. Over the years at Visitation, she edited the first Parish Bulletin, started the Lunches for the Poor program, helped maintain the Altar Server garments, and was one of the Sunday collection counters. Louise was also a member of the Spirit of Mary Prayer Group, Right to Life League, International Life Services, and a Mission Circle.

After John retired, they spent time traveling, taking walks and enjoying every moment they had together. John passed away in 2011, and Louise spent her final years sleeping late, wearing comfortable slippers, eating M&M’s (which she considered a “dietary staple”) and watching Perry Mason and The Dick Van Dyke Show DVDs. In her last year she received loving care from the staff at Nazareth House. She passed away peacefully with family present on February 02, 2020, which would please her immensely due to her love of number sequences.

Louise will be remembered for her love of family, sense of humor, sharp wit, enjoyment of reading and crossword puzzles, generosity to friends and strangers, and Friday Night “Social Hour” with cherished friends Betty Chrysler and Pat McLoughlin.

Elaine and John would like to thank everyone who provided care and support for their beloved mother during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Louise’s name to the Visitation Parish Lunch Program, 6561 W 88th St., Los Angeles, CA 90045.