Helen Kubilis Gallagher

1919 - 2017

NEWPORT NEWS - Helen K. Gallagher passed away peacefully Saturday, February 11th, at the Chesapeake Retirement Community. Helen was born in 1919 and grew up in a loving family of nine children in Youngstown, Ohio. Upon graduation from Scienceville High School, she moved to Washington, DC, where she worked as a secretary on the staff of her local Youngstown congressman, Mike Kerwin. It was in DC where she met her future husband, Harold F. Gallagher. In 1948 the Gallagher family moved to Christopher Shores in Newport News, VA, and became members of St. Vincent de Paul Church. She later joined Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in 1959 when the family moved to the Hidenwood neighborhood. Helen volunteered at OLMC School while her children were students there. Helen is warmly remembered by her children and grandchildren for her home cooked meals. Her cheese eggs, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and shrimp kedgeree were the world's best. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harold F. Gallagher. She is survived by her children Lynn Gallagher of Hampton; Judy G. Smith and her husband Bill of Hendersonville, NC; Timothy F. Gallagher and his wife Sherry of Amelia Island, FL; and Patrick D. Gallagher of Asheville, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alison Cumming of Hampton, Ryan Smith and his wife Dana of Atlanta; Kasey Smith of Asheville, NC; Adrienne Gallagher of Jacksonville, FL; Bonnie Gallagher-Marvel and her husband Rex of Charlotte, NC. Helen is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Liam, Rori, Keira, Aden, and Griffin. A memorial service will be held at Peninsula Funeral Home at 9am on Tuesday, Feb 14, followed by a burial at Peninsula Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be contributed to Catholic Relief Services, the Alzheimer Foundation of America or a charity of your choice.