Judith "Jude" Gallagher

Judith ”Jude” Sharon Gallagher In God’s care you rest above, In our hearts you rest with love. Memories of you are ours to keep, Our words are few but our love is deep. Jude is the firstborn of seven children to Robert and Marian (deceased) Gallagher of Rio Oso, California. She was a playful, happy, loving young child when struck down with polio at age seven. She spent many months at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco recovering from the near death experience. She never once uttered a word nor complained about her disability her entire life, never a “why me”. Jude was a major inspiration and role model to all. She was a beautiful, caring and loving person despite all the tribulations she had to endure. Even with this affliction, Jude never considered herself handicapped and always attributed her integrity and leadership qualities to her strong family upbringing. Jude had an incredibly beautiful spirit that permeated everyone’s heart. She was a person of tremendous strength and wisdom always cheerful and happy. She fought a valiant fight for the last 16 years since first diagnosed with cancer. Jude was a wonderful and very proud mother and grandmother. Her constant desire was to spend as much time as possible with her daughter, Heidi, and grandson, Brenden, whom she loved and admired deeply. Her peaceful passing was complete with her daughter at her side. Jude’s career in Federal Civil Service began in February 1975. She started in an entry level clerical position, and after many years of diligence and hard work, she secured her final position of Procurement Director, GS-14, at the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center (NFELC), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), at the Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme CA. Because of her strong belief in the value of education and self-improvement, having herself earned a BS in History in 1984, as a supervisor, she ensured that her employees received training and encouraged them to prepare themselves for advancement opportunities. She loved to mentor young, aspiring managers, to see them flourish and grow and cheered them on to achieve their personal and career goals. Throughout her own career, she earned the respect and high regard of all her peers. Her outstanding Equal Employment Opportunity achievements resulted in her selection as the sole recipient of the Federal Women’s Program’s Joyce W. Stewart Memorial Award, Naval Base Ventura County, in March 2005. She served on the Board of Directors for the CBC Federal Union. It’s no surprise that she was recognized as the Outstanding Employee with a Disability for the Department of the Navy in Nov 2005 and as the Outstanding Employee with a Disability for the Department of Defense (DoD) in Dec 2005 and received her distinguished awards in prestigious ceremonies in Washington D.C. After 37 years of dedicated and superior service, Jude retired in February 2012. Jude was a very generous, thoughtful and loving person who gave of herself and her time whenever possible, whether it was volunteering as an organizer for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) or Toys for Tots or multicultural events or supporting programs as a member of the Federal Women’s Program on the base. Jude found great “Joy through Movement” focusing on the intrinsic energy within as an avid student and practitioner of Tai Chi Chih and also achieved the second level in Reiki. Jude will be remembered for many wonderful things, but the love and devotion she had for her family would be first and foremost. Family gatherings were very important to her and she was happiest when she was surrounded by her loving family. And, regardless of the distance, she made every effort to attend all special events and gatherings. It is her family’s hope that Jude’s memory will have a special place in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her. Jude always saw the good in people, even if it was difficult for others to see. All her life she put the welfare of others before her own. She touched the lives of many people and she will be remembered for her genuinely sweet, kind, gentle, loyal and loving nature, her warm heart, infectious smile and her indomitable Irish spirit, and her patriotism. The 4th of July was her favorite holiday and her office was decorated in red, white and blue year-round, with Irish shamrocks sprinkled here and there. She had great compassion for the men and women in the military and supported various programs that provided support for military families. She firmly believed that we owe it to ourselves and to our country to do whatever we can to make a difference in this world – and she did! Life presented Jude with many physical and medical challenges, but she always continued to smile and meet each new obstacle with courage. It was that courage, and perhaps a bit of Irish stubbornness, that for years made her use the stairs instead of elevators and to pass up handicapped parking spaces, leaving them for others that she felt had more need than her. Few people knew that she lived with pain and discomfort everyday of her life because she never complained. Even when the cancer kept returning, she never asked “why me?” and she never displayed a “victim” attitude. Her strength and spirit were an inspiration to family, friends and anyone fortunate enough to meet her. And now, she is free from all earthly suffering and there is no cancer and no leg braces in heaven! To try and capture the life lived and the essence of this truly beautiful person, can, perhaps, best be reflected in one of Jude’s favorite poems: “Life can’t be counted in candles or measured in number of years, it’s counted in small joys and good times and laugh lines, as well as in heartaches and tears. Life can’t be counted in candles, but in things done with effort and pride, with dreams followed boldly and hopes kept alive, in times when we’ve failed, but tried. Life can’t be counted in candles or measured in years that have flown, it’s counted in kindnesses, close friends and loved ones, and in all the sweet blessings we’ve known.” Jude will be deeply, deeply missed and will be a part of us forever. Rest in peace, our sweet, beloved Jude. Predeceased by: Mother Marian Gallagher; Brother Patrick Gallagher Survived by: Daughter Heidi Ann Irvine; Grandson Brenden Hebert; Father Robert Gallagher; Brothers Dennis Gallagher and Tim Gallagher; Sisters Roberta Halcomb, Dianne Changnon, and Kelly Hayes; Numerous nieces and nephews; Lifelong friends and recent caretakers Gloria Smith, Gloria Bransdor, Dee and Mike Knight, Arlene Cypher, and Marcella Kowitz. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Mercy Hospice 1210 Deadra Dr. Lebanon, MO 65536 St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Patrick Gallagher Music Scholarship, Yuba College Foundation, 2088 N. Beale Rd. Marysville, CA 95901 Services: Jude passed away in MO but the services will be held in Marysville, CA and a Memorial will be held in Oxnard CA, all to be determined and information to be provided at a later date. Caregiver statement: The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for the loving and personal care given to Jude by her dear friends Gloria Smith and Gloria Bransdor, and for the kindness and excellent professional care provided by numerous physicians.

Judith "Jude" Gallagher

May 8, 1946 - June 5, 2012