Marian Frances Gallagher February 28, 1929 - February 17, 2018Marian Frances Gallagher passed away on February 17, 2018 after a brief illness. She was born to James and Ella Shaughnessy on February 28, 1929 in Springfield, IL. She moved west with her family during the Great Depression in 1931 and grew up with her eight siblings in East Oakland and Berkeley. She attended St. Anthony Catholic School in Oakland and Presentation High School in Berkeley, where she met her dear friend Noreen Holman Shaughnessy, who went on to become her sister-in-law when she married Marian's brother, Bob. Marian worked for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in Oakland at Catholic Social Services until 1949 when she married Daniel Gallagher, a U.S. Marine veteran that she met at a St. Augustine's Parish dance. Marian and Dan made their home in North Oakland until the demands of their ever growing family moved them to Millbrae in 1956 where they raised their eight children: Elizabeth, James, Mary, Margaret, Daniel, Joseph, David, and Patricia. Once her youngest was off to kindergarten, Marian enjoyed working at Mervyn's department store for over 20 years. An ever cheerful and pleasant lady, she couldn't stay away from retail and worked for several more years at a Hallmark card shop in Millbrae after her retirement. More than anything, Marian loved to spend time with her family who will miss her very, very dearly.
She was predeceased by her husband Daniel, in 2005. Marian is survived by her eight children; son-in law, David Martin; daughter-in-law, Melena Gallagher; five grandchildren, Terri, Danny, and Patrick Martin (Monique) and Elizabeth and Colleen Gallagher; and three great-grandchildren, Patrick, Jackson, and Jameson. She is also survived by her brothers, Edward (Aurora) and Daniel Shaughnessy, sister-in-law Noreen Shaughnessy, and several nieces and nephews.
The viewing and Rosary will be held at Chapel of the Highlands, 194 Millwood Drive, Millbrae on Thursday, February 22nd. Viewing is available from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the Rosary is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Dunstan's Catholic Church, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 23rd, followed by a Graveside Service at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Donations in her memory may be made to: United States Marine Raider Association, C/O: Florence Dornan, 704 Coper Court, Arlington, TX 76011-5550.