Obituary of Joan M. Gallagher

Joan M. Gallagher, age 76, of Chestnut Hill, passed away at her residence on Saturday February 13, 2016. After graduating from Chestnut Hill College, Joan went on to earn her Masters' degree from Tulane University. She enjoyed the many years she worked tirelessly as a History teacher, and appreciated the opportunity to help students achieve their goals. Prior to her retirement, she taught at Abington Senior High School. Joan loved traveling and took many grand adventures around the world experiencing other cultures and food. Reading was another of her hobbies; she could often be found sharing great books with loved ones. Joan also adored each of her canine companions, including two greyhounds she rescued. She loved taking them on walks around her neighborhood. However, friends and family will most likely remember Joan for her love of food and wine. Joan was an amazing chef and baker, bringing scrumptious goodies to gatherings and saying they were easy to make. Most notably, she claimed her legendary chocolate chip cookies were a simple back-of-the-bag recipe. Try as they did, her family never was able to achieve her results with that recipe; Joan leaves behind an empty plate on the dessert table. Her family is comforted in knowing that she is baking heavenly treats with her mother and sister now. Joan is survived by a sister-in-law, Lynda Gallagher, and nine nieces and nephews: Eileen Warwick (Steven), Lois Fleck, Susan Perna (Louis), Linda DeSalvo (Gregory), Alan Fleck (Carol), Laura Flack (Brian), Diane Massaglia (Robert), Michelle Hawley (Michael), and Michael Gallagher. Additionally, she leaves behind 14 grandnieces and grandnephews, whom she loved dearly: Gregory (Erin), Allison, Cassandra, Clarissa, Theodore, Sara, Calvin, Chloe, Ethan, Luke, Alex, Evan, Aidan, and Connor. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Cathryn Gallagher; her brother, James Gallagher; and her sister, Patricia Fleck. Friends may call on Thursday Feb.18,2016 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 437 Ridge Pike in Lafayette Hill; a Mass of Christian Burial will follow. Interment will be held at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham and Easton Road, Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Greyhound Adoption Program, 10901 Dutton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154.