Dena Gallagher

Dena Gallagher (Hudgins) passed away peacefully at the age of 55 on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, after a two-year battle with glioblastoma. She is survived by her loving family: her husband, Joseph Gallagher; her son, Ryan; her daughter, Lillian; her father, Carl Hudgins; and her brother, David (Erin) Hudgins.

Dena was born in Baltimore, MD to Carl and Charlotte (late) Hudgins. Dena attended Bedford Elementary School in Sudbrook Park and then her family moved to Mount Airy, MD where she attended Glenwood Middle School and graduated from Glenelg High School in 1988. She received her Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from University of Maryland Baltimore County and was selected as Alumna of the Year in 2010. After UMBC, she attended Loyola University in Maryland and received her Master of Business Administration degree. She then went on to get her Chartered Financial Analyst certification. Dena excelled in the field of Finance, ultimately becoming a mutual fund manager before leaving the business world to raise her two children. She and Joe initially settled in Gaithersburg, MD, and Dena was active in the elementary school and surrounding community before moving back to Mount Airy where she became extremely active in her children's schools and activities.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Circle D Farm for family and friends on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The family asks that you do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, please plant flowers or a tree, and post a picture on social media as a recognition of your love for Dena. The family also asks you to post a picture of the flowers or tree one year from now as a remembrance. If you would like to donate to a charity in Dena's honor, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to "Johns Hopkins University" in support of glioblastoma research. Contributions can be mailed to the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine (550 N. Broadway, Suite 724, Baltimore, MD 21205) with a note designating the gift for "Precision Neuro-Oncology Research Fund." Memorial donations may also be made online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/neuro by selecting the "other" option and specifying Dr. Schreck's GBM Research. Dr. Schreck was very caring throughout Dena's diagnosis and treatment.

Dena also loved horses, so the family welcomes a donation in her name to: https://www.thoroughbredaft ercare.org/donation_now/ if you'd prefer.