Virginia Ann Gallagher passed away on March 6, 2020 at the age of 87 in San Antonio, TX. She was born in Wetmore, TX on July 4, 1932 to Herbert O. and Clara E. Theis and was the youngest of three girls. She is preceded in death by her parents, John, her husband of 39 years, and her sister Clairene Theis. She is survived by her children Patsy Stiebing(Charles), Kevin Gallagher, Steven Gallagher(Bambi), and Rick Gallagher(Paula). Grandchildren: Leah Stiebing-Sanders(David), Erich Stiebing, Lance Brawner(Abbie), Josh Weigand, Morgan Weigand, Keaton Gallagher, Sean Gallagher and Great Grandchildren: Langdon and Wren Sanders and Jakob and Jason Brawner, sister: Gladys Heisler and many other family members and friends.
She volunteered at St. Gregory's School and church for over 50 years as a homeroom mother, concession stand mom, costume maker, and as an Altar Society member. Bunco was one of her favorite participation games.
Virginia grew up in Wetmore and she learned at an early age the art of customer service. She and her sisters assisted their parents in operating the Wetmore Store which also housed the post office. They also helped in the bowling alley. Virginia learned to drive at the age of nine in order to feed cattle on her grandfathers ranch which of course was a favorite thing to do along with burning the needles off of cactus as a water supplement in hot weather and food if needed.
As young woman, Virginia attended Business School and had a knack for computing Math in her head and developed her beautiful handwriting along with shorthand. Her jobs included working at the Telephone Company and the Engineering Department at Fort Sam Houston. She was so well liked at Fort Sam that her bosses clandestinely interrogated her future husband(whom she met at the Fort Sam bowling alley)what his intentions were regarding their secretary. Of course his intentions were honorable and they married six months later.
Eventually she started helping John in his business as his secretary and ran her household as well. She was an amazing cook and could put together a wonderful meal at the drop of a hat. We think she invented butterfly patches because the boys wore them proudly quite often. We will miss her humor, her grace, her lapses into German, and her beautiful smile.
Please join us in celebrating her life at the visitation on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 6pm-9pm with a rosary beginning at 7pm. Her funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10am at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park on Austin Highway.
We would especially like to thank Claire, Bill, and Amanda Hayman and AJ and Alice Ramirez for their support during this difficult time. The staff of SAHH, VITAS Hospice and Carol Ann's Home for their advice and care the last seven months. Her physicians, Doctors Jenny Sprute, Kurt Meissner, Phillip Zinn, and Kiran Jayaram and their staff for always treating our mother with kindness and skill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Presentation Sisters 8931 Callaghan Road, San Antonio, TX 78230, Alzheimer's Association San Antonio Office 10223 McAllister Fwy #100 San Antonio, TX 78216 or the charity of your choice.
