Ellen Shirley Gallmann

Ellen Shirley Gallmann was born October 13, 1925 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to parents Donald and Ruth (Lhotka) Matthews. She passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024. Her final moments were spent with daughters Jane and Debbie at her side.

Ellen moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1927 with her parents. The family lived on 2nd Street, where she grew up. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy. Although she was known to most of her family by her middle name 'Shirley', later in life she preferred using her first name.

Ellen was the oldest of 8 children. The family moved to Vail, Arizona in 1942 and ran a Texaco gas station at the intersection of (then) Benson Highway and Colossal Cave Road (now the I-10 interchange).

Living conditions there were lacking amenities, with electricity but no running water. The toilet was an outhouse and drinking water was hauled in metal milk pails from the railroad water tank in Vail.

Ellen enjoyed playing the organ for masses at the Santa Rita Catholic Church in Vail. She also was a guide at Colossal Cave, as were some of her siblings over the years.

Ellen met her first husband, Joseph Demuth at a dance in Tucson and they were married in October, 1947. They lived in Vail until they moved to Three Points in 1955. They had 4 children: Joseph Patrick 'Pat' Demuth (Carol), Jane Demuth Hiscox (Bill), Deborah Marie Carrillo, and Nancy Ellen Long (Bill). Three children were born in Vail and the 4th (Nancy) was born after moving to Three Points.

In Three Points she was active in the elementary school her children attended and later worked at the small gas station/store/cafe, eventually managing it.

She moved to Tucson in 1970 and married her second husband, Albert Gallmann II. She was stepmother to Audrey (Gallmann) Dominguez (Michael), Linda (Gallmann) Van Pelt (Jerry), and Albert Gallmann III (Jean).

Ellen was known for her love of Notre Dame football and even attended several games in South Bend, Indiana. She had a passion for the color red and reading murder mysteries. Ellen was also known for being caring and very much loved being around family. Holidays were gatherings of many siblings, spouses, and children. There were potlucks with lots of food and people. We have fond memories of recipes like Mexican corn bread, and jello with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and pineapple. One family always brought a jello dish made with red hots with a bottom layer of cream cheese, nuts, and other unidentifiable ingredients.

Ellen cared for her mother when her mother had dementia and kidney cancer. She also was a caregiver to her youngest sister, Theresa, prior to her death. She lived in Casa Grande for a few years helping her sister, Marlynn, tend to all of the animals Marlynn accumulated. There were also many grandchildren that she took care of.

She is pre-deceased by her parents and both husbands, stepson Albert Gallmann III, as well as siblings Donald (Bud) Matthews, Marlynn Matthews Sommers, George Matthews, John Matthews, James Matthews, and Theresa Matthews Weiss.

She is survived by her 4 children, her youngest brother William Matthews (Janett), and her step daughters Audrey and Linda. She also leaves behind 13 grand children, 19 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her brother and his wife, Bill and Janett, for all they have done for Ellen over the years. That includes providing her and her dog living quarters after her macular degeneration got so bad she could no longer see enough to drive or read.

A ceremony will be held as Funereria del Angel South Lawn at 12:30 P.M. on Friday, January 3, 2025.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Tucson Food Bank.