Karen L. (Wolfe) Gallagher Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Karen L. (Wolfe) Gallagher, 73, of Economy Borough, passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at her home. Born August 9, 1946, in New Brighton, a daughter of the late Robert E. Sr. and Bertha Schroeder Goodwald, she was a retired teacher with the PA Cyber School in Midland and in Baden. Karen was also a former teacher with the Rochester and Seneca Valley Elementary School Districts; past director with the former Building Block Daycare Center and former director of the Head Start in Ambridge and Northside, Pittsburgh. She was a member of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rochester, where she was a former Sunday school teacher and council member. She was a 1964 Rochester High School graduate; received her Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree from Slippery Rock University and her Masters in Leadership Development from Carlow College. She was a former employee of the former Beaver Trust Co., Rochester office; Karen was also founder and owner of Wise Little Owl Preschool, Baden, a former member of Rochester Junior Woman’s Club and former state president; and a former member of the Baden Economy Woman’s Club where she was past president. Karen was a life member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary of Washington County. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James W. Wolfe, 1995. She is survived by her husband, John A. Gallagher Jr., whom she had been married for seven years. She is also survived by one daughter, Melissa A. Wolfe, Baden; stepson and daughter-in-law, John D. and Rebecca Gallagher, Pittsburgh; four grandchildren, Layla, Lucas, Garrett, and Liliana; one sister and brother-in-law, Marian R. and Herman Acon, Rochester Twp.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert E. Jr. and Terri Goodwald, Hopewell; Jerry A. and Lorraine Goodwald, Mound, Minn.; and Terry E. and Denise (Drabeck) Goodwald, Hopewell; two nieces, Karie and Tracie; four nephews, Brian, Matthew, C.J. and Ben; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Jodi Gallagher; and two aunts, Emma Jean Stephenson and Patricia Schmidt. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in WILLIAM MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, INC., 349 Adams St., Rochester. A service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rochester. Officiating will be her pastor, the Rev. Gregory S. Clagg. Interment will be in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the ALS Association, Western PA Chapter, 416 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15209.

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Karen L. (Wolfe) Gallagher

August 9, 1946 - September 25, 2019