Kaitlin Marie Gallagher

Kaitlin Marie Gallagher was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 7th, 1993. Two days later she was adopted by Eugene and Anita Gallagher through the assistance of Adoptions Together. Kaitlin came home to her older sister Megan who had been adopted seven years earlier. Megan adored her sister and was always ever present in Kaitlin's life from the moment she arrived.

Kaitlin lived in Bethesda, Maryland until the age of 3 at which time her mother and sister relocated to Sweden. She went to elementary school and spent ten years with her mother and her mother's family. Kaitlin was able to travel extensively to the US to visit Dad as well as traveling to such places as London, Paris, Spain, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Greece and throughout Sweden. Kaitlin loved to visit zoos as she was an animal lover. She would skip, play and always enjoyed exploring different places. She loved visiting any and all beaches especially in Florida with her Nanny Rita.

At the age of 14, Kaitlin returned to Washington D.C. because of her struggles in school. Kaitlin had learning differences that required specialized education and counseling. In the summer of 2008, Kaitlin began her education at The Lab School of Washington. She flourished for the first time by learning new strategies in reading, writing and mathematic challenges. She first realized that she could learn just like her friends. Kaitlin developed a passion for listening to music and always had headphones to play her favorites. Also for the first time, she was involved in organized sports playing girls volleyball and basketball. Kaitlin was on the 2010 varsity Lab School basketball championship team and was recognized as the Most Improved player on the volleyball team.

During the fall of 2010, Kaitlin transitioned to a therapeutic wilderness program, Trails Carolina, where she spent 90 days learning important life skills and building trust, accountability, integrity and leadership skills with other young girls. She then went on to continue developing these skills at therapeutic boarding schools, Bromley Brook School for Girls and Academy at Swift River. Kaitlin returned to D.C. in the fall of 2011 once again to attend the Lab School of Washington where she was reunited with the dedicated and highly skilled teachers, staff, coaches and her classmates. She had the good fortune to work with some of the most caring and professional therapists (Shalene Pierce, Samantha Cole, Dr. Cheryl Shapiro) all of whom provided her with the best possible counseling. Kaitlin was unable to complete the 11th grade as she had worked so hard to do.

As she was known to her friends, Katie and sometimes Keke, developed close, meaningful relationships with her fellow students. Adults always found Katie a true pleasure to be around. Kaitlin had a smile that would light up a room as well as a big heart. She would give the sweater off her back to help someone in need. From Sweden to Washington D.C., Katie seemed to touch her friends' lives wherever she went.

Just a few months after turning 18, on January 1st, 2012 Kaitlin's life and her unborn child's life ended far too soon in a tragic accident in Bethesda, Maryland. Kaitlin will be loved and never forgotten by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, and on behalf of Kaitlin, donations may be made to The Lab School of Washington. A ceremonial service will be held at The Lab School of Washington on January 28th at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons Inc., Washington, DC.