Priscilla P Gallagher

Priscilla was born September 7, 1934, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Olive and Joseph Poitras. She had one brother, Edward J. Poitras, who survived her.

Priscilla moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, when she was seven years old. She attended Roads Elementary School and graduated from Marblehead High School in 1952.

She married F. Michael Gallagher of Chicago, Illinois, in 1957. Together, they had four sons: Mark, born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in 1958; Daniel, born in Sycamore, Illinois, in 1960; Thomas, born in Scotia, New York, in 1962; and James, born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1964. Each new state seemed to bring another son. Priscilla is survived by her four sons, six granddaughters, one grandson, and five great-grandchildren.

Raising their four sons with all its challenges and activities filled Priscilla’s time. Being a mother, teacher, food preparer, arbiter of the children’s wants and desires, transporter to school and sports and music events, organizing the family vacations and Cub Scout den leader didn’t leave much time for much else.,

Nevertheless, Priscilla made time for broadening her skills and giving back to the community by playing badminton and tennis, taking drawing and painting classes, attending cooking and food preparation classes, and volunteering with Pegasus to help limited ability children to develop confidence and physical skills.

After Mike retired from the corporate world they studied the art of clowning and entertained children and adults at Florida Hospital in Orlando, Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise. They both also entertained students in special education classes and nursing homes.

The new millennium found Priscilla and Mike traveling the world visiting all seven continents. For their 50th wedding anniversary they traveled ‘around the world’ – from home to Los Angeles to Korea to Vladivostok, Russia, the Siberian Express train to Moscow, a cruise to St. Petersburg, Estonia, Finland, Frankfurt, Germany, and back to the US.

She is thankful to all the organizations and people who encouraged and assisted her during her lifetime. She had a good and rewarding life. May God bless them all.

Priscilla’s favorite saying was, “I tried.”

The family will welcome guests from 10-11:30 am on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 5000 CR 46A, Sanford, FL 32771. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 am with interment to follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.