Vivian M. Gallagher

Vivian Marie Gallagher, 87, died peacefully on January 15, 2018, at Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy, after a long struggle with dementia. Born in Albany on November 13, 1930, Vivian was the daughter of Joseph P. and Dorothy (Houser) Miaski. She was a life-long resident of the Albany-Rensselaer area.

Vivian was a 1948 graduate of Saint John’s Academy in Rensselaer. On September 8, 1951, she married Thomas A. Gallagher Jr. at the Church of the Holy Spirit in East Greenbush. She worked as a legal secretary for several Albany law firms, retiring in 1993 from Sullivan, Rehfuss, Cunningham and Brennan. Vivian enjoyed knitting, baking, gardening, reading, watching football, playing cards and board games, decorating her home for holidays, and organizing family parties, picnics, and vacations. She was a great lover of animals, especially the family’s cats, dogs, horses, and other pets.

Vivian is survived by her husband, Thomas A. Gallagher Jr.; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Deborah Gallagher and David Berkey of Morgantown, West Virginia, Nancy Gallagher and Robert Longman of Olympia, Washington, Susan Gallagher of Albany, Kate Gallagher and Peter Conn of Olympia, Washington, and Merry Gallagher and James Lardie of Newport, Maine; two grandsons, Anson Berkey and Lucas Berkey of Morgantown, West Virginia; two sisters, Dorothy (Albert) Van Nederynen of Castleton, and Janet (Daniel) Statile of Schenectady; two brothers, Joseph (Barbara) Miaski of Rensselaerville, and Michael (Kathleen) Miaski of Nassau; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Stephen Vardin; and four sisters, Shirley Bohnet, Marlene Murphy, Barbara Cruisce, and Patricia Console.

No services are planned at this time.