Linda Williford Gallagher

1944 - 2026

Linda Williford Gallagher

April 21, 1944 - January 15, 2026

Wake Forest, North Carolina - Linda Gail Gallagher, 81, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away on Thursday, January 15, due to complications related to Alzheimer's disease.

Linda was born on April 21, 1944, to Sarah Thelma Williford and Elman Robinson in Whiteville, NC. After graduating from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC, she enrolled in the Air Force as a flight specialist crew member and saw over 20 countries during her time in the service.

Linda and Pat Gallagher married in 1963. They enjoyed 45 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Chris and Beth.

Linda attended college classes at UNCW and was active in religious and civic activities. She held several roles with the PTA, from treasurer to president. Additionally, she was a member of the New Hanover Council for the PTA and a volunteer tutor at Winter Park School. Linda was an active volunteer with the Catholic churches she called home over the years. After being a devoted stay-home-mom, she worked at Kennametal in Raleigh, NC, as an HR Representative and retired in 1997.

One of the best neighborhood moms, known affectionately as "Mrs. G," she always had snacks and sweet tea on hand. Her hobbies included gardening, singing, dancing, and storytelling. She lived with Pat in Maidenhead, England, for two years and traveled to Paris, Germany, and Scotland, but her greatest joy was being a grandmother.

Linda was predeceased by her husband, Pat Gallagher; grandmother, Bertha Williford; mother, Sarah Thelma Williford George; father, Elman Robinson; and stepfather, Daniel M. George Jr.

She is survived by her children, Chris Gallagher and wife Carolyn, Beth Keeley and husband Larry; grandchildren Liam and Garrett Gallagher, Sean, Skylar, Piper, and Willow Keeley; five half-sisters and four half-brothers.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 520 W Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587, on Friday, January 30, at 2:00 pm, preceded by the rosary. A graveside ceremony will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1311 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28403, on Friday, February 6, at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.