Obituary for Ivy Mae Gallaher
Gallaher, Ivy Mae – 85 of Portage, slipped gracefully away from this earth on March 29, 2018 at home in Portage. She was born on January 9, 1933 in Altoona. The daughter of Walter J. and Ada G. (Henry) Alloway, Ivy is preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Phoebe and Ruth, brothers: Roy and Walter Jr., the father of her children: Glenn Gallaher, son-in-law: William Haberl and great-granddaughter: Alexis Gallaher.
She is survived by her loving children: Jeffrey M. Gallaher of Wahpeton, ND and Daughter-in-Law: Vickie Gallaher of Mauldin, SC; Colleen M. “Candy” Gallaher and husband Marc Langweiler of Asheville, NC; and Cheryl A. and husband Russell Wirfel of New Germany; Grandchildren: Jason Gallaher (and Michelle) of Wahpeton, ND; Jennifer Gallaher of Mauldin, SC; Zachary Gallaher and fiancé Tina Clark of Lawrence, KS; Zane Gallaher (and Amber) of Livingston, MT; Step grandaughter Amy Osbourn Perniciaro, Flemington, NJ,: Laura Haberl of Summerhill; Christopher Haberl (and Sondra) of Elton; Megan Anderson (and Luke) of Bellwood; and Ethan Wirfel of New Germany; Great Grandchildren: Isaiah, Skyler, Sheena, Camyrn, Hazel and Trevor Gallaher, Ellric Giroux; Maddox Dombrosky, Alice and Troy Haberl and Wyatt, Lauren and Hannah Anderson. Ivy is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Dolores Rush of Summerhill; Lena Alloway of Harrisburg, PA; Jeanie Giordano of NY; Jeanie Gallaher of FL; Janet Gallaher of Bechtel, PA; and Rita Gallaher of Morrisville, PA.
Ivy was also the host mother of 3 exchange students: Isabel of Brazil; Anna of Guatemala and Patty from Mexico. She was a teacher’s aide and secretary at the Wilmore Elementary School and a second mother to many. (Honorable mention to Mary Helen & Jean Ann). She was a retired House Parent with 19 years of service at Cambria Residential Services and held a special place in her heart for Joann, Elsie, Kathy and Betty. She cherished her family and friends and loved interacting and giving to her community. She was an honorary member of the St. Anns Society, an active member of the Wilmore Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the Portage Area Senior Center, where she baked and cooked with her friends for the Portage Rotary Club events and other occasions. She enjoyed her grandchildren, travel, and trips to casinos with her friends - especially Rocky Gap. She was an avid and dedicated fan of the Altoona Curve and Pittsburgh Pirates. Creative, kind and gracious, she is remembered with love.
Ivy’s family extends an invitation for friends and family to gather for a celebration of Ivy's life from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturday April 7, 2018 at the Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. of Portage. There will be a brief memorial service at 12:45. The family would like to thank friends who offered such care and support: Kathie, Carolyn, Jean and give special recognition and thanks to Windber Hospice Caregivers and workers: Marie, Diane and Eileen for all the love, support and care that they gave to Ivy. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Ivy’s name to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Avenue, Windber, PA 15963 or to a charity of your choice in her honor.
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She is survived by her loving children: Jeffrey M. Gallaher of Wahpeton, ND and Daughter-in-Law: Vickie Gallaher of Mauldin, SC; Colleen M. “Candy” Gallaher and husband Marc Langweiler of Asheville, NC; and Cheryl A. and husband Russell Wirfel of New Germany; Grandchildren: Jason Gallaher (and Michelle) of Wahpeton, ND; Jennifer Gallaher of Mauldin, SC; Zachary Gallaher and fiancé Tina Clark of Lawrence, KS; Zane Gallaher (and Amber) of Livingston, MT; Step grandaughter Amy Osbourn Perniciaro, Flemington, NJ,: Laura Haberl of Summerhill; Christopher Haberl (and Sondra) of Elton; Megan Anderson (and Luke) of Bellwood; and Ethan Wirfel of New Germany; Great Grandchildren: Isaiah, Skyler, Sheena, Camyrn, Hazel and Trevor Gallaher, Ellric Giroux; Maddox Dombrosky, Alice and Troy Haberl and Wyatt, Lauren and Hannah Anderson. Ivy is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Dolores Rush of Summerhill; Lena Alloway of Harrisburg, PA; Jeanie Giordano of NY; Jeanie Gallaher of FL; Janet Gallaher of Bechtel, PA; and Rita Gallaher of Morrisville, PA.
Ivy was also the host mother of 3 exchange students: Isabel of Brazil; Anna of Guatemala and Patty from Mexico. She was a teacher’s aide and secretary at the Wilmore Elementary School and a second mother to many. (Honorable mention to Mary Helen & Jean Ann). She was a retired House Parent with 19 years of service at Cambria Residential Services and held a special place in her heart for Joann, Elsie, Kathy and Betty. She cherished her family and friends and loved interacting and giving to her community. She was an honorary member of the St. Anns Society, an active member of the Wilmore Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the Portage Area Senior Center, where she baked and cooked with her friends for the Portage Rotary Club events and other occasions. She enjoyed her grandchildren, travel, and trips to casinos with her friends - especially Rocky Gap. She was an avid and dedicated fan of the Altoona Curve and Pittsburgh Pirates. Creative, kind and gracious, she is remembered with love.
Ivy’s family extends an invitation for friends and family to gather for a celebration of Ivy's life from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturday April 7, 2018 at the Matthew R. Decort Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. of Portage. There will be a brief memorial service at 12:45. The family would like to thank friends who offered such care and support: Kathie, Carolyn, Jean and give special recognition and thanks to Windber Hospice Caregivers and workers: Marie, Diane and Eileen for all the love, support and care that they gave to Ivy. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Ivy’s name to Windber Hospice, 600 Somerset Avenue, Windber, PA 15963 or to a charity of your choice in her honor.
To plant a tree in memory of Ivy Mae Gallaher, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
7
Apr
10:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Decort Funeral Home
532 Main Street
Portage, PA 15946
Service
Saturday
7
Apr
12:45 PM
Decort Funeral Home
532 Main Street
Portage, PA 15946
Memorial Contribution
Windber Hospice
600 Somerset Avenue
Windber, PA 15963
Windber, PA 15963
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