Obituary of Denise "Bonnie" Gallagher

Bonnie Gallagher EAST DURHAM – Denise "Bonnie" Gallagher, 62, passed away on Saturday morning, November 29, 2014 at her residence after a long illness. Born in New Rochelle on September 6, 1952, she was daughter of the late John T. and Helen Lysaght O'Brien. Bonnie graduated from Maria Regina High School, Mercy College and NYU. She began her teaching career in Parkway School, Bronx, followed by Sacred Heart in Yonkers, and the last 13 years in Blessed Sacrament School in Albany, retiring in September due to illness. Bonnie was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Cairo and Our Lady of Knock Shrine in East Durham. She was past president of the Irish Benevolent Society in New Rochelle, and was the first American-born woman to hold that office. Bonnie is survived by her husband, James "Jimmy" Gallagher; two children, Martin (Rebecca) Gallagher and Patricia Anne Gallagher; two siblings, Barbara (Jerome) Vacca and John T. (Janet) O'Brien Jr.; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and her pets, Bailey, Riley and Guinness. Calling hours will be Wednesday and Thursday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. both days, at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Knock Shrine, 2052 State Route 145, East Durham. Private cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the "Bonnie Gallagher Rising Star Fund", c/o Sister Patricia Lynch at Blessed Sacrament School, 605 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 will be appreciated. Condolence page at ajcunninghamfh.com.