She was born Lou Ann Meyer in 1932 in Seattle, WA where she also spent her youth. In 1951, she married Joseph Gallanar to whom she was married until his death in 2017. They made their homes in Washington, Maryland, Oregon, Michigan, Kansas, California, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
She was an artist, a teacher, a mother and a grandmother. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Oregon and she did post-baccalaureate work in Primary Education at La Verne College in California, but Lou Ann found her calling in life as a ceramic artist.
Her work used alternate forms of kiln firing including Raku techniques and saggar firing. Her artwork was shown at various galleries across the region including solo exhibits at The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, The Clay Place and the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. She also taught at the Sweetwater Center for Crafts and the Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Lou Ann Gallanar is recognized as a significant artist in The Dictionary of American Studio Ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Joseph Milton Gallanar, her son Malcolm Colin Gallanar and her daughter-in law Dr. Maria F. Trujillo.
Lou Ann is survived by two daughters, Robin Ondo, of Cranberry Township and Heather Gallanar -Barnett, of Indiana, PA. and one son, Ian Gallanar of Baltimore, MD. and family members:
Mark Ondo, Ron Barnett and eight grandchildren: Ryan Ondo, Dustin Ondo, Alex Ondo, Aaron Barnett, Tyler Barnett, Nicole Ramsey, Isadora Gallanar and Aura Gallanar.
There will not be a visitation. A private family commemoration will be held at a later day. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choosing.
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