Sister Mary Louise Gallagher, formerly Sister Marie Eloise, died in Camilla Hall on August 25, 2022 in the 75th year of her religious life. Sister died just shy of her 93rd birthday.
Mary Louise Gallagher “Weezie” was born on September 8, 1929. Sister’s parents John J. and Marie (Seery) Gallagher were from St. John the Baptist Parish in Manayunk. Mary Louise went to St. John the Baptist Elementary (1936-1943) and St. John the Baptist High School (1943-1947). Later while in Community, Sister earned an A.B. from Immaculata and an MA from Villanova University.
“Weezie” entered the Community on August 15, 1947; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Eloise, on March 29, 1948, and she professed her First Vows on April 9, 1950.
Sister Mary Louise (in the late 80s Sister returned to using her baptismal name), began her teaching ministry in April 1950 – shortly after professing First Vows. Sister taught children from April 1950 through June 1980. Sister served in St. Thomas More, VA; St. Dominic, Philadelphia; St. Bernard, Easton; Immaculate Heart, Chester; St. Anne, Rock Hill SC; St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia. From August 1970 through August 1973, Sister served as Principal Star of the Sea School and Superior in the convent. From 1973 through August 1980 Sister taught students at St. William, Philadelphia.
From August 1980 through August 1999, Sister Mary Louise served as an administrator for the school communities of St. Joseph, Downingtown; St. Anselm, Philadelphia; St. Michael, Annandale; and Holy Family, Philadelphia.
Sister Mary Louise served as a Pastoral Minister at Resurrection Parish in Philadelphia from August 1999 through August 2011, while residing at Immaculate Heart Convent, St. Hubert. From 2011 through September 2019 Sister served as a faithful office assistant at St. Hubert High School.
In September 1999, at the tender age of 90, Sister Mary Louise went to Camilla Hall and continued her faithful service as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer until her death on August 25, 2022.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister Mary Louise is survived by her siblings Mary Ellen (Boyle) Fitzpatrick, Gerard J. Boyle, Bonnie Gallagher McCloe (Earl), Eugene Gallagher (Marie), Margaret Gallagher Burger (Mike) and sister-in-law Eileen.
Sister’s parents John Joseph Gallagher and Marie Gallagher (Seery), her Guardians Helen Gallagher (Boyle) and Arthur J. Boyle Sr., her siblings John Barry Gallagher, Arthur J. Boyle, Richard Boyle (Francyne), sister-in-law Peggy Boyle and brother-in-law Joe Fitzpatrick predecease Sister.
Reverend Msgr. Kevin Lawrence was the main celebrant for Sister’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Msgr. William Kaufman (homilist), Reverend William Dooner, Reverend Joseph Quindlen, Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM, and Reverend Christopher Walsh concelebrated with Msgr. Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355