Obituary of Terese Marilyn Gallagher

Terese Marilyn Gallagher Terese Marilyn Gallagher, age 87, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2016 in Tucson, AZ, surrounded by her family members. Terese was born November 9, 1928 to the late William J. Doyle and Estelle Slattery Doyle in New York City. She graduated from St. Joseph's College in 1950, where she edited the column "Lady in the Dark" and later worked as an advertising copywriter on Madison Avenue. In 1952 she married Richard H. Gallagher and followed his career as an aerospace engineer, professor at Cornell University, and later a successful academic administrator who served as Dean of the University of Arizona College of Engineering from 1978 through 1984 and later became President of Clarkson University. Terry and Dick were a team who traveled together to a total of 78 countries, and as "first lady" of Clarkson she entertained and welcomed a steady stream of visitors from around the globe during an important phase of Clarkson's growth. Her greatest pride was raising her five children, all of whom went on to earn engineering degrees like their father and lead successful lives, as the family moved from their native New York to Buffalo, Ithaca, NY, Tucson, AZ and later back to upstate New York. She continued to do freelance copywriting for local clients, including Matthew McHugh's successful congressional campaign, as well as teaching English in Japan during a family sabbatical. Her travels with Dick led them to become part of one of the first scientific delegations to China as it opened to the West, explore places as far afield as Tierra del Fuego and Eastern Europe, and reconnect with her family's ancestors in Ireland. Later in life, after the passing of her husband Dick after a 45-year marriage, Terry settled in Tucson and became an active part of the retired community, including travel, group activities, and hosting friends and visitors at the Skyline Country Club. She loved a good joke and was proud of always knowing which slot machines were the hot ones, although the ultimate results are lost to history. Even in her last years, her caregivers complimented her omnipresent sense of humor and her ability to belt out songs from the 1940s. Terese was predeceased by her husband Richard in 1997 and her sister Eileen Hofmann, and is survived by her brother William Doyle, children Mary Rodin of Tucson, AZ, Richard Gallagher of Newfield, NY, William Gallagher of Santa Monica, CA, Dennis Gallagher of Chatham, NJ and John Gallagher of San Ramon, CA, grandchildren Claire and Philip Rodin and Katherine, Anne, Richard and Henry Gallagher, and great-granddaughter Aurora Pierce. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice. A private service has been held and Terese has been laid to rest at Holy Hope Cemetery, Tucson, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to www.adairfuneralhomes.com.