Martha Gavin Gallagher

Martha Gallagher cared. She was stubborn, kind, opinionated, thoughtful, and could tell you at any time what was wrong with any situation whether you asked or not, but she always cared. Martha was born in Torrington to Paul and Agnes Gallagher.  After a decade-long battle with lung cancer, she finally succumbed in her 70th year on June 21, 2025.  

        Growing up in Torrington, she attended St. Francis of Assisi School, Torrington High School and was a proud alumnus of the University of Connecticut, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  This was followed by her earning an MBA from the University of Hartford. She never strayed far from her roots, finally settling in Avon CT for the past 25 years.

        Martha had many passions.  She was an avid reader, a philanthropist who gave generously of her time and resources to organizations helping others, and a fierce supporter of the UConn Women’s Basketball program – attending countless games including several trips to the Final Four watching the Lady Huskies emerge victorious.   She loved stage performances and was a fixture in the audience at the Bushnell Theater.  Those passions, however, paled in comparison to her love of family and friends.  She was a devoted daughter who strived to make her parents proud and she cared for her mother in her declining years.  Her circle of close friends was huge, and she enjoyed many trips and activities with them, as well combining her love of books and people in book clubs. She leaves a legacy of close friends whom she considered family and many happy and fun memories of times with them.

        Her favorite place, however, was Ogunquit.  It was full of great childhood memories of family vacations which then created opportunities for new memories with friends that she made there and friends that she hosted.  She enjoyed the beach, the restaurants and the simple pleasure of the cottage.  Her generosity of sharing allowed many others to create their own fun and fond memories.

        On a professional level, she worked in the finance industry, eventually becoming a charter employee at Summit Bank as the COO, then working in City Hall in the Mayor's office, a job she relished for the diversity and opportunity to serve.  She retired just a few years ago from the State of Connecticut where she served as Program Coordinator for workers’ compensation benefits, receiving many accolades over the years for her achievements.

        Diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2014, she beat the odds continually, turning a bleak prognosis into a story of perseverance.  Over the course of her cancer survival, she received treatments that drained her energy and strength, but she endured without complaint.  She was a warrior who would never give in to any illness and serves as an inspiration to those who are fighting the same battle.  She relied on her strong Catholic faith to carry her through the adversity, and that faith never wavered to the end. She was grateful for the physicians and staff that gave her opportunities to be in clinical trials that would not only potentially help her but also help others. She refused to be defined by the disease but instead by her strength.

        She was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her prodigal brother, Phil Gallagher and his wife Debi of Richland, WA.  She was especially proud of her nephew Scott Gallagher (Melissa) of Urbana MD and her niece Hannah Gallagher of Woburn MA.  They were truly her pride and joy.

        Martha lived a life that impacted others in a positive way, and she will be dearly missed.

        A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, (Our Lady of Knock Parish), 145 Main St., Unionville. Burial in Old St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington, will be private. Friends may call Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington. 

        At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brooker Memorial, 157 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT 06790.

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