Patricia Julie Gallagher

LOWELL - Patricia Julie Gallagher passed away on July 9, 2024, at her longtime Lowell home. She was born in Lowell on December 31, 1936, the fourth of nine siblings. Her parents were Frederick Patrick Gallagher and Eleanor O'Hare Gallagher. The family had an established home in the Centralville neighborhood, where Pat resided her entire life. As an infant, Pat was stricken with polio, requiring many trips to Boston Children's Hospital for treatment. Courageously, she coped with this disease throughout her personal and professional lives.

 She attended Notre Dame Academy, graduating in 1956, and then attended Lowell Commercial College. Pat was hired by Lowell Technical College (which evolved into University of Massachusetts at Lowell), where she worked for fifty years, retiring as Director of Payroll. Additionally, she belonged to the League of Catholic Women and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

When not working, Pat enjoyed hosting family gatherings, playing Mah-jongg with friends, visiting Cape Cod, and staying in touch with her 23 nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends. She also made numerous trips to Ireland and Las Vegas. Pat was an adored aunt and the heart of her large Irish family.

 Pat was the beloved sister of Frederick P. Gallagher, Jr (Ellin) of South Yarmouth, MA, Eleanor Herlihy of Hyannis, MA, Robert Gallagher (Charlotte) of Millsboro, DE, Sheila Hurley of Palm Beach, FL, and Stephen Gallagher of Lowell, MA. She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Lee Lafferty, Richard Gallagher and Susan Gallagher as well as her in-laws, Maureen Gallagher, Gerald Lafferty, David Herlihy and Richard Hurley and her nephew Michael Lafferty and niece Kelley Lafferty.

 Relatives and friends are invited to Pat’s Life Celebration on Wednesday from 4 until 7 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 10 AM in St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.