Olive M. (Gallagher) Leary R.N., 86, died peacefully Saturday morning, December 19, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of John R. Leary who predeceased her 44 years ago.
She was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 3, 1923, daughter of the late James J. and Nora (Powers) Gallagher. She was a lifelong resident of Lowell and always very proud to be from the Acre. Mrs. Leary was educated in Lowell and graduated from St Patrick’s High School and St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse, including the University of Lowell where she worked in the Student Health Services, the former Beaconcrest Nursing Home, Saint John’s Hospital and Murphy Army Hospital.
Mrs. Leary was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell. She belonged to many clubs and organizations and loved to knit, read, travel and vacation in Seabrook Beach and North Conway but mostly she enjoyed spending time with friends and family, sharing stories, sharing dreams, giving advice and laughing, always laughing. She will be missed by everyone whose life she touched but will live on forever in the hearts and smiles of her beloved children and grandchildren who were her greatest joy.
She is survived by three daughters and sons in law, Mary Beth and Stephen Harney of Hollis, NH, Ruth and Jeremiah O’Connor of East Longmeadow and Carol and Richard Glasheen of Hudson, NH; one son, Jay Leary and his partner Lisa Maguire of Nashua, NH; eight grandchildren, Meaghan, Caitlin and Michael Harney, John and Caroline O’Connor and Sarah, Hannah and Alicia Glasheen; a brother, James Gallagher and his wife Marge of Lowell; a sister, Kathleen Gallagher of Lowell; a brother in law, Francis Leary and his wife Muriel of Lowell; a sister in law Marie Gallagher of Lowell, her cousins, Barbara Donahue of Lowell and William Kane and his wife Evelyn of PA and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Leary was also the sister of the late William Gallagher.
LEARY- Relatives and friends may call Tuesday Dec. 22 from 4 until 8 pm at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, (Rte.38). Her Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 11 am at St. Patrick’s Church, Lowell. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Arrangements are by the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, LOWELL.