Nancy M. (Madera) Gallagher

On December 16, 2022, Nancy Madera Gallagher passed away peacefully at the age of 79. She leaves behind family and friends who will fondly remember her bright smile, vivacious spirit, and caring nature.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on November 25, 1943, she graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1971. Nancy worked as a nurse for over 50 years, primarily in Critical Care. She was always willing to go the extra mile for her patients, extending her long shifts whenever necessary to ensure that they got the best care possible.

Nancy had experience working in almost every field of nursing, including transport care, where she helped stabilize and move critically ill patients by helicopter to the hospital best equipped to help them. Many younger nurses looked to her as a caring and reliable mentor and would often describe her warmly as their “second mom.”

A devout Catholic who played the organ at Mass as a teenager, Nancy went on to become a member of The Third Order of Franciscans, a group of lay men and women who try to emulate St. Francis of Assisi by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service. She also loved to travel, with her passport bearing the stamps of such countries as Ireland, Germany, and Jamaica.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Joseph Gallagher. She was a loving mother to Paul and Patrick, and a doting grandmother to Sarah, Veronica, Timothy, Emily, Claire, Molly, and Anna.