Martha Elizabeth (Shattuck) Gallagher, of Damariscotta, passed away May 20 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Jan. 15, 1923, the daughter of Ward Lincoln Shattuck and Isabel (Smith) Shattuck. She married Judge Ralph A. Gallagher on June 25, 1949. He predeceased her on Feb. 17, 1965. Martha graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1940. After attending secretarial school she began a career in office work, first as her husband’s secretary and later as an employee of Miles Memorial Hospital where she worked in admissions. Following her husband Ralph’s death she earned a degree as a Medical Records Technician (ART). She continued to work for Miles into the 1980s. She was a charter member of the Twin Village Junior Woman’s Club, served as a Trustee of the Lincoln Home and Miles Hospital, and enjoyed bookkeeping and her family.
She and her husband raised three children who survive, twin sons James and wife Barbara L. Gallagher and John, both of Damariscotta and their brother Ralph Alan Gallagher and wife Dori L. Gallagher of Windham. Her son John’s wife Mary predeceased Martha in 2007. She is also survived by Jim and Barbara’s children Jennifer G. Villeneuve and husband Jon of Alna, Joseph W. Gallagher and wife Melissa of Eastman, N.H., Julia G. Childs and husband Bob of Glenshaw, Penn., and James J. Gallagher of Damariscotta; John’s and Mary’s children Ryan, David Gallagher and wife Joanna, and Sarah A. Leeman, all of Damariscotta and Ralph and Dori’s children Ralph A. Gallagher and fiancée Melissa M. Souza of Poland, and Melissa G. Carlberg and husband David of Windham as well as seven great-grandchildren. An infant sister, Barbara Shattuck, also predeceased her.
Visiting hours 5-7 p.m., Thurs., May 22 at Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Funeral mass 11 a.m., Fri., May 23, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Newcastle, Reverend Alfred Irving, Celebrant. Committal to follow immediately in the cemetery at St. Patrick’s where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Ralph.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B, Portland, ME 04101 or to the Mary E. Gallagher Memorial EMS Fund at Lincoln Academy, 81 Academy Hill, Newcastle, ME 04553.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Strong Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
