Cecelia Gallagher

CECELIA GALLAGHER "Ceil"  
Born on July 22, 1922 to Adrian J. Gallagher and Adelaide Welch Gallagher in Minneapolis, MN. She died January 14, 2011 in Washington, DC from a stroke. Her family moved to Kansas City, MO in 1930. Ceil graduated from St. Vincent's High School (Kansas City), and received a BA from Creighton University and a MA from the University of Kansas. She taught at Redemptorist Elementary School (Kansas City) and later served as a Papal Volunteer, living in South America. She moved to Washington, DC in the late 60s, where she served as office manager at the National Catholic Shrine and from there went to the National Gallery of Art from which she retired in 1992. She was an active volunteer (Grate Patrol and Common Cause) and also conducted research for clients at the Library of Congress. She was credited with the U.S. research for Hannah Arendt: Vor Antisemitismus ist man nur noch auf dem Monde sicher, written by Marie Luise Knott and published in Germany. She was a member of St. Stephen Martyr Church. Ceil never married, and she is survived by three sisters, Elise McAnany, Overland Park, Kansas, Theresa McFadden, Jefferson City, Missouri and Peggy Dodd, Osage Beach, Missouri. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Adelaide and brother Edward.Ceil lived with energy and vigor, a trait that she exhibited very early in her life. Her first job was selling the Saturday Evening Post door to door in the 30's, an activity for which she won a prize for most sales. When she went to collect the prize, she was informed that girls were not allowed to sell the magazine, and they promptly took away her route and denied her the prize. Ceil devoted her life thereafter to helping the underdog and righting injustices. She will be remembered for her intelligence, impressive vocabulary, vitality and tireless efforts in service to those less fortunate than she. Friends may call and participate in the Mass to be held in memory of Ceil on March 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen Martyr Church in Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Stephen Martyr Church (Washington, DC) or Columbia Road Health Services (Washington, DC) is encouraged.