Erma Marie Gallagher passed away Friday Nov. 22, 2013, at Mission View Care Center in San Luis Obispo. Erma Harlacher was born in August in Harrisburg, Pa., the youngest of five children to Anthony and Anne Harlacher. She graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg and then went to East Stroudsburg Teachers College, now known as East Stroudsburg University. After graduation, Emma taught first grade in Easton, Pa., and Malvern Long Island, N.Y. In 1947, she made the trek across the country to California to join her sister, Betty and family. She landed a teaching job in San Bernardino, Calif., in 1948 and taught first grade at Fairfax School. It was there she met and married Daniel "Pat" Gallagher in 1949. They had been residents of San Luis Obispo since 1961 and Erma taught first grade at Teach School from 1961 to 1974. She was active in the Monday Club and AAUW. She also enjoyed taking Aqua Kinetics classes at Cuesta College. She loved the water and whenever she could talk Pat into taking a ride to the ocean it was a good day. She also loved to watch football and baseball with Pat. Retirement was full of travel, especially with the Longhorn cattle they raised in Paso Robles. Erma is survived by her two children; son, John (Lynn) and their children Reilly Marie and Caden Patrick; and daughter, Kathy Knapp (Paul). The recitation of the rosary will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, at the Reis Family Mortuary Chapel, 991 Nipomo in San Luis Obispo. Memorial donations, in memory of Erma, may be made to your favorite charity. Reis Family Mortuary 544-7400 San Luis Obispo
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Dear Kathy and John...
I shall always love your Sweet Mom....she has now joined our other "angels" and will always be with us in our hearts and wonderful memories. Love to you both....Always...Linda
Linda Rooney
December 30, 2013
Erma was a ray of sunshine in our neighborhood, she and Pat were warm and friendly to all. She loved the children that lived around her and took my two children out for icecream on their birthdays. How special she was. She will be missed. Prayers to family and loved ones of Erma.
Judie Roza-Kennedy
Judith Kennedy
December 3, 2013
Loved her dearly,
Evelyn Holdgrafer
December 2, 2013
Dear Family,
Erma and Pat were very close to us in many ways. We send our love and prayers to them and your families.
Love.
Betty, Dale and David Domenghini
December 2, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss. I attended Teach school and remember Mrs. Gallagher very well and she was a big help with my parents and a foster child they had for a year. She was a fantastic teacher, and a nice person. Prayers are with you and your family in this time.
The Bond's
December 2, 2013
Erma was a favorite teacher at our schools. I worked on staff and loved talking to her. Later we had a rancher connection, the Gallaghers with their longhorns and us with our cattle. I would always see them at cattlemen's day at the mid state fair. She was quite the lady.
Sandy Ahean
December 2, 2013
Dear Family, I had the pleasure of seeing Erma weekly for many years. We would solve many world problems, laugh and cry together, celebrate family and enjoyed our longtime friendship.
My prayers go out to her and all of you. God Bless
Lupe Oliveira
December 1, 2013
Kathy and John, my family is so sorry for your loss. We remember all the good times our families had. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cindy, Becky, and Karna Stoira
December 1, 2013
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Reis Family Mortuary and Crematory - San Luis Obispo991 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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