January 01, 1970
Gallagher
Dr. Patricia Ann, Ph.D.
Dr. Patricia Gallagher, of McCandless Twp., died on June 25, 2022. She was preceded in death by her Irish immigrant parents, Hugh Philip Gallagher and Anne Cannon Gallagher of County Donegal, Ireland.
Pat’s life was bursting with opportunities to love others. She taught in inner city schools…She said that love was the teacher in her. Dr. Gallagher grew up in Homewood and Point Breeze neighborhoods. After graduating from Duquesne University, she earned a Master’s degree at Columbia University. Pat began her classroom teaching as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. She taught at Manila Normal College for over two years. Tagalog continued to flavor her vocabulary in the United States.
Dr. Gallagher received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked the lion’s share of her career for the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education as a teacher and Dean of Students. She continued to devote her life to teaching after retiring from the BOPE. She was then a student-teacher mentor at Point Park University. When both were young and her older brother Philip, a Pittsburgh Press Carrier, wandered into a street football game, Patsy would take the irate calls from readers looking for their evening papers. Then she delivered them. Pat spent two summer vacations in Romania, cuddling and rocking orphans whose lives were disrupted by revolution. Until near the end of her life, she also volunteered at our Children’s Hospital and Veteran’s Hospital. Pat loved to travel. She even took a slow freighter to visit South American countries. Antarctica was next on her list.
Pat and her sister, Mary Gallagher McCluskey chatted twice a day on the phone, encouraging and supporting each other as life’s kaleidoscope changed its patterns. They were lifelong BFFs. Patsy was an integral part of the lives of her nieces and nephews; her love and devotion have enriched their lives. We will all miss her.
Patricia is survived by her brother Philip (Mary Ann) Gallagher; her sister Mary (Jack) Gallagher McCluskey; her nephews and nieces Anne McCluskey Yatchenko, John (Noreen) McCluskey, Philip McCluskey, Meghan (Shawn) Gallagher Sheridan, and Hugh (Elizabeth) Cannon Gallagher; and great-nieces and great-nephews Jack, Brendan, Nicholai, Connor, Harper, Nora, Quinn, Suzanne, Bridget, and Molly. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8PM and Wednesday from 4-8PM at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 806 Perry Hwy, Ross Twp. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday 10AM in St. Bede Church (St. Mary Magdalene Parish), 509 S. Dallas Ave., Pgh, PA 15208. Everyone please meet at church.
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My husband Ray and I were Peace Corps volunteer friends of hers in the Philippines. We will miss her. She was always a cheerful person.
I was so sorry to hear about Pat. She was truly a very special lady who touched so many lives. Including mine. I will miss her so much but she will be up in Heaven with your parents singing some of those old Irish favorites. Mary, I had a stroke with memory loss and that is why I did not know about Pat. My love to you and your family
Pat, Thank you for being a wonderful boss, mentor, and especially a friend. ❤️
When you had Patsy’s attention, you were the most important person in the room. She was very genuine and will be deeply missed. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Barb & Ed McCluskey
Dear Mary, Jack, Phil, Mary Ann and families,
I am sorry to hear of Patsy’s passing. I remember her smile, infectious laugh and her stories. She led an amazing and inspiring life. You are in our prayers.
love,
Mary Pat and Larry
We loved the Dean so much, she was my friend
Patsy was a faith-filled person, who spent her life in service to others. She is truly a role model. I trust that her reward is great in heaven. She will be greatly missed.
Mary & Jack, Phil & Mary Ann, and Families: So sorry to hear this news. Patsy was an inspiration to me. I followed her model in joining the Peace Corps and loved hearing her “war” stories about teaching and being a dean. The stories she told were laced with humor but always contained a clear intimation of love. Gosh, she could tell a story!
Her model made me think that maybe I could actually do this thing called teaching. I am forever grateful for what she taught me and how she inspired me.
Love,
Joe Deffner (and family)
Thetford Center, Vermont
Thank you, Patsy, for being our friend.