Carole A. Gallagher, beloved wife of the late Francis O. Gallagher, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the age of 93. She passed away surrounded by loved ones, to whom she devoted her life. Carole was born in Lowell, MA on January 4, 1933. She is the daughter of the late William & Mary Hazel Dwyer, and sister to Natalie Donahue, the late Jackie Hossfield, the late Barbara McEvoy, and the late Beverly Dolan. She is survived by her children, whom she loved with her whole heart – Brian Gallagher of Rochester, MA; Cabrina (Robert) Anderson of Calabash, NC; Frances Gallagher of Norton, MA; Bruce Gallagher (the late Evelyn) of Valparaiso, IN; Carole Gallagher of Swansea, MA and Mary (Steven) Perlman of Madison, CT. She also leaves behind many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Johanna Gallagher, and her two grandsons Benjamin Anderson and Bobby Anderson.
Carole grew up in Lowell and then Lawrence MA. She graduated from the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She worked in Boston at MGH and then raised her children. She went back to nursing at Sturdy Memorial Hospital as her kids grew up. She was a natural caregiver. She married Frank Gallagher in 1954, and they eventually settled in Norton, MA where they raised their children. Carole and her family spent summers for over 40 years at the beach in Wareham, MA where they enjoyed, sun, beach, quiet times, game nights and lots of family time. Baking, sewing, and reading were her favorite pastimes.
Even while raising six children, Carole felt that giving back was vital and lived by that mantra. She spent over 15 years on the Norton School Committee, several as Chairwoman. She also served on the Massachusetts State School Committee and was honored as a Lifetime MASC member. She bred and trained German Shepards, raised chickens and loved to horseback ride.
Carole and Frank spent their later years in Dunedin, FL where she was an active member of the Cedar Creek Park Association. Carole was such a warm, kind person that anyone who met her felt an instant connection. She never met a dessert she didn’t like, so you could always count on something sweet at the ready when you visited her!
Carole loved watching sports on TV. Once she moved to Florida, it was a great disappointment to her kids that she became a Buccaneers fan. She loved watching the NFL, complete with “the red zone” package. She also loved following MLB and NHL games. She was a natural when it came to plants and flowers. Her yard was always in bloom, a true green thumb.
In her last years, she was fortunate enough to spend her time up North closer to her kids and grands, and great grands who kept her alert and active each day. She enjoyed watching them grow and discovering new things with them.
Most of all, Carole was a gentle, kind, patient, and loving soul who dedicated her life to her husband and children. Her strong Catholic faith guided her everyday living. She was a good and faithful servant of our Lord and will be dearly missed until we meet again!
Her Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Saturday, October 24th at 11:30 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at the Newland Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours are omitted.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com