Eileen P. Gallagher

Albany-Eileen Theresa Purtell Gallagher, 93, died peacefully at home with her family on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Born in Troy, NY in 1922, she was the daughter of the late James and Ellen Foster Purtell. She was raised in South Troy and graduated from Catholic Central High School. After attending Mildred Elley, she began her career as a legal secretary in 1940. She moved to Albany in 1945 with her mother and sisters. She married her husband James in 1960. She returned to the work force when her children were in their teens, working as a secretary at the NYS Department of Health and eventually retiring as the secretary for the Director of that agency. After retiring, she worked for several years in the office of then Assemblyman Jack McEneny. She is survived by her son James, her daughter Ellen, her sister Emily Skinkle, and her sisters in-law Margaret (Donald) Byrnes and Nora (John) Donlon . She also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband James Gallagher, her siblings Jeremiah, William (Wimpy), James, John (Buddy), and Kathryn Carro. Eileen was involved in a host of community, civic, and religious organizations. She was a religious education teacher at St. Teresa of Avila. She was active with many committees and events at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where she was a Eucharistic Minister, and served on the Parish Council, the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Gold Committee. She was a homemaker, girl scout leader and poll watcher. She monitored the Albany City Council and Albany City and Family Courts for the Fund for Modern Courts. She was deeply involved in reform politics in Albany in the late 60s and 70s, from the Albany Independent Movement, to the first elected School Board. She was a co-founder of the New Scotland-Whitehall Neighborhood Association and the Teen Center at School 19. She and her late husband travelled extensively through Europe and the United States after they retired and loved spending time at their camp with their extended family at The Great Sacandaga Lake. She will be remembered for her love of family, good will, humor and tenacity. Special thanks to everyone who helped take care of Eileen in her final days. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Eileen’s family Friday, November 27, 2015 400 to 7:00 pm in McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 8:15 am from McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany thence to the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany at 9:00 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will immediately follow the Mass at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Those wishing to remember Eileen in a special way may send a contribution to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message for the family, obtain directions, light a candle or view other helpful services, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Eileen P. Gallagher

March 29, 1922 - November 24, 2015