Mary L. Gallagher passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 after a courageous battle against early onset dementia with her family by her side.

Mary was born on October 1, 1953, the daughter of James and Joyce (Meighan) Edler. She was a graduate of Warren High School with high scholastic honors and received a BSMT degree at Northern Illinois University, marrying Mark A. Gallagher on April 24th, 1976. Mary worked 38 years at Rockford Memorial Hospital as a registered medical technologist until her retirement in 2013.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved to spoil her grandchildren.  Mary was an avid volunteer in the community dedicating years of her time to St. Paul Church.  She loved reading, attending Bible study and teaching Sunday school, gardening in her rose garden, and sitting with her cats.  Mary was the family planner and spared no expense to organize the family's summer vacations, giving her sons a childhood of memories they'll cherish forever.

She is survived by her husband Mark Gallagher; sons - Chris (Larissa) Gallagher, Shaun (Anne) Gallagher, seven grandchildren - Savanna, Charlotte, Tristan, Liam, Cassandra, Violet, and Hazel, mother - Joyce Edler, brothers - Jerry, Stuart, Brad, Paul, and Tom, sisters - Beth Schubert and Deanna Grant, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father James Edler and in-laws Harold and Ilene Gallagher.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Mary's brother Jerry and his wife Becky for their continuous support during Mary's illness.

A visitation will be held from 4-7pm at St. Paul Church of Epleyanna in Davis, IL on December 27th.  Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday December 28, 2024, also at St Paul Church of Epleyanna, with Pastor Scott Naevestad presiding.  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Mary's name.  Condolences can be shared with the family at www.walkermortuary.com.