Peggye Gallagher

Peggye Virginia Reese Gallagher, age 80, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law and best friend, passed away at home on January 29, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Peggye was born on November 18, 1928 to Alvie O'Cecil Reese and Mamie Donlyn Walker Reese in Phenix City, Alabama. She attended the University of Alabama where she met "My Hero" - the love of her life - William Presley "Pres" Gallagher, whom she married in 1949. They settled in the Pensacola area in 1950 and have lived in Gulf Breeze since 1961. Peggye was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, and her sister Bettye Frances Reese Edmunds. She is survived by two sons, William Flynt Gallagher and his wife Laurie of Pensacola Beach, and Michael Reese Gallagher of Gulf Breeze; sister-in-law Mrs. Lewis (Angie) Persons of Tallahassee. "Minnow", as she was affectionately known, leaves three grandchildren: grandsons Kyler Glassman and Kendall Reese Gallagher, and granddaughter Kelsey Lynn Gallagher; and two former daughters-in-law: Gayle Peacock Gallagher of Franklin, Tennessee, and Sherry Lynn Blackmon Gallagher of Gulf Breeze, Florida. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a large extended family of "children" who lived with "Uncle Pres" and "Aunt Peg" over the years. Peggye loved her family, her church, her many friends, Alabama football and watching her grandchildren's activities. She was involved in many church, community and volunteer activities, including Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary, Santa Rosa County Library in Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Woman's Club as a Founding Member, and St. Francis of Assisi Altar Guild, until her illness prevented her participation. She was a true Southern lady of tremendous grace and strength, exhibited throughout her illness, but also one of childlike enthusiasm for life, whether cheering the Crimson Tide on (the last game she attended was the first game coached by Nick Saban), watching her grandson score the winning run, her granddaughter leading a cheer, "clogging" or dancing the Charleston at her son's wedding reception. She will be truly missed and lovingly remembered. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 3, at 2 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze with the Reverend Albert W. Pruitt officiating. Peggye will be inurned with her "Hero" at Barrancas National Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Pres Gallagher Scholarship Fund in care of the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club, P. O. Box 687, Gulf Breeze, FL 32562, and identified as "Pres Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund". The family wishes to thank the caring staffs of Baptist Hospital Pensacola and Gulf Breeze Hospital, and the loving caregivers of Emerald Coast Hospice and Home Instead who were indispensable in their care and support during her final days.

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