Margaret & John Gallagher

It is with gratitude for their life and sorrow for our loss that we announce the passing of John Joseph “JJ” and Margaret Ann “Peg” Gallagher (nee Boyd). Our mother would have appreciated the efficiency of only writing one obituary, but the truth is, we simply could not have told the story of John’s life without Peggy.

JJ and Peggy were set up on a blind date by Ruthie, Peg’s sister. True to form, upon being introduced, Peggy said, “JJ? What kind of name is JJ? I’m not calling you that. What’s your real name?” Peggy was the first woman unimpressed with JJ’s handsome face and tough-guy bravado. They were married less than a year later on March 5, 1977.

Peg and John built a beautiful life together over their 46-year marriage, raising their family in Rhinebeck, NY. JJ had an exemplary career with the NYS Troopers, eventually bestowing on himself the title of “Greatest Cop Alive”. Peggy graduated in one of Columbia University’s first classes of Certified Nurse Midwives and went on to guide thousands of babies into this world, including two of her grandchildren. 

In the last months of John’s life, when Parkinson's disease began to take its toll, Peggy was there. On February 20, 2023, in their home, John sat down next to Peg and passed away. Peg herself made it another 707 days, thanks to the care and support of son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly; Uncle Ray and his boys and daughters-in-law; and her incredible friends on North Hutchinson Island. After mounting chronic health issues, Peg passed away on January 27, 2025, holding her son Sean’s hand. As Sean reminded her to listen out for Ruthie’s unmistakable cackle, Peggy looked up and was gone.

Peg and John will be remembered by their son Robert John Gallagher (Kimberly) and their children Brooklyn, James John, and Colin Douglas; daughter Sara Gallagher Williams (Brian) and their sons, Samuel Eoin and John Philo; son Sean Joseph Gallagher (Mary Joan) and their children Silvia Clare and Sean Michael. They are also survived by John’s sisters, Ann Marie Lavigne and Joan Gallagher (Karl Prediger); Peggy’s sister, Barbara Ricci (Louis); Peggy’s uncle and John’s favorite BSing buddy, Raymond Boyd; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Family, friends, and loved ones will gather privately to celebrate Peg’s and John’s lives. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jewish Social Services Association, whose hospice staff provided Peggy’s family the gift of calm and compassion during these final weeks.