Obituary of Eleanor Gallagher

Eleanor (McAuliffe)  Gallagher, Freehold Township passed away at home after a brief illness surrounded by her family.  She was 87 years old. 

Eleanor was born in Bayonne to the late Thomas and Mary Ann (Boyle) McAuliffe.  She earned her degree from Hunter College, New York University.  Eleanor married John Bernard Gallagher of Bayonne in 1954 and celebrated 61 years of marriage before his passing in October of 2015.  The couple moved to Freehold Township in 1964.  She retired from the Township of Manalapan as the Assistant Treasurer in 2000. 

Eleanor was known for her sense of style, and fondness for Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  She was committed to her extended family welcoming all on short notice.

Eleanor and John traveled throughout the United Kingdom and Scandinavia as part of his work in the maritime insurance industry.  She also ventured around the United States and the Caribbean on post-retirement tours and cruises with her sister-in-law, Jessie Gallagher.  In between, she enjoyed outings in New York City for a show and high tea at The Plaza.  She relished her regular trips to Hong Kong to visit her daughter.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Ellen Gallagher Zinke and her husband, Jon of Hong Kong;  her two sons, John F. Gallagher and his wife, Audrey of Chicago, and James J. Gallagher of Freehold; seven grandchildren, Caitlin, Ryan, Addyson, Kelsey, Tessa, Sofie and Jack; and extended family.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Friday, May 18, 2018 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township.  Interment will follow in Brigadier General Wm. C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Eleanor’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  For information or directions, or to offer condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com