Catherine Ann Galan
Catherine Ann Galan transitioned peacefully Tuesday evening, March 10, 2020 surrounded by her loving husband and family. Cathy, as she was affectionately known, was born June 24, 1944 and raised in St. Louis, Missouri to Catherine M. (O’Rouke) and Joseph F. Gallagher. Cathy will be remembered by her poise, kindness, and quiet strength. She attended Visitation Academy Catholic High School and Fontbonne College to earn her Bachelor of Arts for a teaching degree. She learned quickly that teaching was not for her and moved to Boston to work for Transworld Airlines.
She returned to St. Louis not long after. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend of 1986, at a retirement party for another Aetna employee, she met the love of her life Henry (Hank) Galan. They shook hands and then never let go. They were married in 1988 and moved into their new home in Ballwin, MO, where they lived happily for the rest of her life. She was an avid and accomplished Bridge player. Hank and Cathy traveled the world together; the Caribbean, the Baltics, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Russia. They were a great match in many aspects of their lives to include their love of a good book, Square Dancing, and in enjoying board and card games.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Hank Galan; the step-children she loved Mary and Brian Harper; Andrew (Andy) Galan; grandchildren Anne, Sean, and Connor Harper, of San Antonio, TX; sister Mary Jo Wade of Overland Park, Kansas; and several loving cousins and friends.
She graciously donated her remains to science to help train the future doctors and nurses at St. Louis University. There will be no graveside services and no public visitation. Arrangements for a Catholic Mass and Memorial service are currently to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Leukemia Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, or Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Evelyn’s House for their tender and considerate care.
Cathy was a lovely person and will be missed.
Cathy was the greatest friend for years and will be missed terribly. We met at Aetna and remained friends even when living far apart.
I’ll forever treasure the many days we had together at BJC and Evelyn’s House, especially the stories and laughter we shared. She will be missed. She was so brave, up to the end. RIP Cathy Gallagher Galan❣️????????????
I took Cathy to my senior prom at St. Louis U. High and we dated the entire summer of 1960. She was everything others have said about her. I was lucky to have known her when were both 17. I remember we both liked to play miniature golf.
I knew Cathy only as a bridge player. I ran the lifemaster -non lifemaster game where she played to the bitter end with Delaine. She was so pleasant and cheerful, even though she was suffering. She will be missed by her bridge family and friends.
What a beautiful tribute online! What great photos!
After reading her obit, I feel like I know her even better. My ❤️aches. May it be of some comfort to her family to know her friends. She may be gone, but never forgotten. Cherish those memories!
Cathy will be missed by all who knew her…How I admired her courage throughout her long fight to recover. Very thankful that I had a chance to see her at Evelyn’s House. I so enjoyed the tribute and the pictures.
Thank you for sharing.
What a blessing it was to have known Cathy for over 40 years! She was a real treasure; as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. We loved her sense of humor, her great laugh, her kind spirit and sense of fun. Together she and Hank made a fabulous team. We love you, dear friend and will miss you! Deb and Jim
We lost a very dear friend. Cathy was an amazing lady, Beautiful inside and out!
We shall truly miss her.
We give our heartfelt condolences to Hank and family.
Liz and Dutch
Cathy was a lovely cousin of mine. a beautiful obituary to such beautiful lady! It was such a comfort to read the sweet words everyone shared about Cathy. She was such a neat, smart, competitive card/board game player!???? I’m very sad that our family keeps getting smaller and I will so dearly miss your face at our family holiday celebrations ! I am relieved your suffering is over and you can rest peacefully Cathy! XO
Cathy was a dear friend of fifty years ; a soft spoken and proper lady in her demeanor but make no mistake she was a powerhouse inside.
I fondly recall her visits to me in Boston and summer visits to my family cottage on Lake Michigan . We loved chocolate and Mrs. Pfieffers birthday cake . More importantly we loved each other in spite of the distance and had a fine and meaningful time together .
We’ll meet again; don’t know where., don’t know when , but we’re sure to
Meet again some sunny day ????????
Cathy was a very dear friend of ours since the 1970’s. She attended our wedding 40 years ago. She had such a kind, loving nature, and we will cherish our memories of times we shared together. Cathy will be greatly missed. We offer our deepest sympathies to Hank and to her family.
Uncle Henry, please accept my heartfelt condolences in the passing of your wife Cathy. May the good Lord console and comfort you. May she Rest In Peace.
God Bless you . Respectfully
Reynaldo Rivera
Hank, we are so sorry for your loss. We loved Cathy too. Please know our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. You gave so much to Cathy and she was sure to let us know that often. As you know words seem inadequate at this time.
Cathy and I were in the same class at Fontbonne University in 1962-1966 some 58 years ago. We really got to know each other when we took square dance lessons with our husbands in 1994 which was 25 years ago. We have been special friends since.
She was a sweet darling person – always friendly and positive and very courageous till the end. She enjoyed life to the fullest and we are so glad we were part of that. We have such fun memories of being together with both of you.
Cathy will not be forgotten and her memory will always bring happiness to Don and I and our special square dance friends. All of us have lost a beautiful person with whom we had a great friendship.
Hank, the memorial tribute was lovely. It proves how gorgeous she was both inside and out. We are so glad we got to visit both of you at Evelyn’s House. May the comfort of friends and family be your strength at this time. May God bless and keep you until you can join Cathy again.
Penny and Don Rocco