Phyllis M. Gallagher, wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, friend, nurse, attorney, and activist, passed from this life to the next with her loving family by her side. Her Catholic faith in Jesus Christ gave her the hope that death is not an end but a new beginning.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Edward J. Gallagher, and her daughter, Ellen. She is survived by her children, Laura (Marty), Ann (Steve), Patrick (Almara), and Paul (Katarina); her grandchildren, Bradley (Melody), Kelly (Shauhin), Annissa, Emma, Isabella, Hannah, Sylvia, Maddy, and Benjamin; her great-grandchildren, Aliyah and Ezra; and her faithful dog and companion, Reggie.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Phyllis was the third born of seven children. After high school, she attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing and became an RN. Then, she met and married her lifelong husband and partner, Edward J. Gallagher, who was studying to become a doctor at Marquette University School of Medicine. They moved back to his home state of California and eventually settled in Fullerton with their five children.
In the mid-1970s, they fell in love with the mountain hamlet of Wrightwood, moved there full-time in 1986, and lived there together for almost 35 years. They enjoyed the four seasons, hiking, and natural beauty. Phyllis continued to enjoy the mountains and lived there until her recent passing.
While living in Fullerton and raising her children, Phyllis had hopes and dreams for herself and wanted to make a difference for others using her Christian ideals as a guide. She earned a BA in English in 1973 from California State University, Fullerton, earned a JD in 1977 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, passed the California State Bar, and went on to help those in need with her legal expertise and warm heart. Both she and Ed were avid learners and went on to earn an MA in Bioethics in 2005.
As a young mother and attorney, she embarked on a journey that included a broad range of social and environmental activism, starting with support for the United Farm Workers, the anti-war group Beyond War, and the anti-nuclear power movement against So Cal Edison’s San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. She gave her efforts to many similar organizations throughout her life. Her law practice consisted of doing probate, wills, trusts, and eldercare law, and her passion for nursing law, advocating for nurses facing licensure issues. She had a tenacity of spirit in fighting for the causes she believed in and always carried out her activities with courage, humility, and grace.
Funeral services have been held. Phyllis is loved and missed by many. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Farm Workers organization, Catholic Relief Services, Habitat for Humanity, the Nature Conservancy, Bread for the World, or a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fullerton-ca/phyllis-gallagher-11593407.
