Tay Gallagher

October 2, 1922 - June 24, 2023

Tay Gallagher of Palo Alto was born and raised in Green Bay Wisconsin on October 2, 1922, the feast of the Guardian Angel. A fitting tribute as Tay was a Guardian Angel not only to her family, but to many friends and others as well. A day didn’t go by that Tay wouldn’t recite the special prayer to her Guardian Angel, multiple times a day. Tay celebrated her 100th birthday last year and was all about love, compassion and fun. Tay’s main tenants were her deep faith, family, friends, the Green Bay Packers, See’s candy and ice cream.

Forever proud of her strong Green Bay roots and a loyal Packer fan, she passed those “genes” on to her husband, children and grandchildren. Many a game she would attend in the famous “Frozen Tundra” Lambeau Field, and never forgot about nor missed the freezing cold temps once the family settled in California.

When Tay was in her early twenties, she accepted an offer to work in Washington DC for Congressman John Byrnes of Wisconsin. It was there that she met her husband Ned, on a blind date. Ned was a Lt. Colonel serving in the United States Marine Corps on the USS Houston and had recently repatriated after 3 1/2 years in POW camps in Japan in WWll. One of his daily prayers during internment was to the Blessed Mother asking that he would meet a wonderful woman with whom he would marry and raise a family, as he was nervous that “all the good ones would be gone” by the time he returned to the United States. God and the

Blessed Mother answered his prayer.

Tay and Ned were married for sixty eight years.

One of the great joys of Tay’s life was raising six children. Paul, Frank, Mary, (Brian), David, and (Kevin). Tay was “all in” on ensuring that the children were active and participated in as many sports teams, scouting programs, and volunteer activities that they wished. Tay also instilled the importance of volunteering and giving back.

She was the greatest cheerleader for each of her children and grandchildren. How she loved each of her grandchildren Sean, Paul Jr., John, Tess, Brian Jr., Robby, Kaity, Shannon and great granddaughter Maxine who were such a blessing in her life.

Tay possessed an uncanny ability to connect with everyone including children whom she didn’t know but perhaps were crying or in distress. She would quell each and speak in soothing tones and the child would be mesmerized by her voice, smile and eyes and her famous hat with the “worry women” on the headband. Tay wore her hats everywhere and loved to say “I send all my worries up to them”.

Tay had a compassionate heart that she easily shared with everyone whether family, friend or folks she hadn’t met before. When friends would visit or drop by, there was always room for one more. Tay would ask “Are you hungry? Have you eaten? Would you like some ice cream or See’s candy?

It has been heartwarming for the family to reconnect with many friends who have commented that Tay was their “favorite Mom”. Her beautiful smile, elegance, her optimism, fun spirit, strength and grace, style, joie de vivre, ability to connect with each individual, and to encourage them when they needed an extra hug, or to make huge bowls of chili on the weekends when the kitchen was closed at the fraternity house on campus are some of their favorite memories.

Frequently Tay would visit friends who were lonesome, recovering from an illness, or confined to rest homes. Cheerfully sharing time, compassion and love.

Faith carried Tay through some very challenging personal times including the passing of two sons and overcoming cancer twice. Her faith guided her and she relied on it in her daily living.

She believed in giving back and making things better for people and the town.

Always active in the community whether it be politics, city issues, church, or garden club. One year she and a friend decided that the downtown needed “sprucing up”during the Christmas/Holiday season. They decided to sell (wholesale!) white lights to all the merchants in downtown Palo Alto. She and her friend also convinced the city to place the lights in all of the trees and recruited another friend who owned a truck with a cherry picker to place the lights in the trees. She met him at 6 a.m. on University and the transformation began. It was a great success and the beginning of a tradition that carries on to this day.

Tay was predeceased by her beloved Mother and Father, and two brothers, Herald and wife Bette, Robert and wife Faith, her husband Ned, sons Brian and Kevin. She is survived by four of her six children Paul (Marcy), Frank, Mary, and David, daughter in law Cathy, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and two nephews Tom and John Nick of Green Bay.

We were so blessed that Tay lived for over 100 years. She was a gift to all of us and we are forever grateful. We bid her a fond and loving farewell and are comforted to know that she is reunited with Ned, Brian and Kevin and her beloved parents and brothers.

Services to be held at St. Albert the Great in Palo Alto include a Vigil and rosary on Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m. and a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m.

Donations may be made to Ability Path of Palo Alto or Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital.