Susan Gallagher

MILLBURY – Susan M. (Perilli) Gallagher, 63, died Tuesday April 12th at Mass. General Hospital in Boston after a courageous 7-year battle with ovarian cancer. Susan leaves her husband, Frank Gallagher of Millbury, daughters, Emily Gallagher of Brighton and Maryanne Gallagher of Waltham, and son, Frank Gallagher III of Somerville.

Susan also leaves two sisters, Mary Loughlin and husband, Tom of Norwood and Nancy Greim and husband, Alan of Attleboro; two brothers, Robert Perilli and wife, Sheila of North Attleboro and Richard Perilli of Marshfield; beloved cousin Julia DiBella and husband, Frank of Roslindale. Susan also had deep connections and love for her extended family including many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Susan is predeceased by her parents A. Vincent Perilli and Anne (Antetomasso) Perilli and sisters-in-law Karen Perilli and Laurie Rando.

Susan grew up in Dedham, graduating from Dedham High School and Westfield State College, and received a Masters Degree in Special Education from American International College.

Before retiring, Susan was a 1st Grade and Special Education teacher at Abby Kelley Foster and Seven Hills Charter Schools in Worcester as well as in the Fitchburg public schools. Prior to having children, Susan worked for Fidelity Investments in Boston.

Susan had a warm, loving and charmingly blunt personality and an outlook on life that was genuine, positive and kind. She had a deep faith in God and her family. Early in her diagnosis, Susan made the deliberate decision to not worry about the future, and to enjoy each day that  was given to her. She was an avid reader and loved to do things with her extended family including shopping, visiting, crafting, daily exercise routines, weekend Scrabble matches with her husband and anything that involved her 3 children.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Susan’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Wednesday April 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main St. in Millbury.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday April 21st in St. Brigid’s Church, 59 N. Main St. in Millbury. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, www.giving.massgeneral.org