Obituary of Kathryn Anne Gallagher

Obituary for Kathryn Anne Gallagher

Kathryn Anne Gallagher 74, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away from brain cancer on September 12, 2020 in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Gretchen Woertendyke and Tony Jarrells. She was born on July 24, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio to William Biven and Carmen Lillian (Boles) Gallagher.

Kathy had a long and full life in Chicago, was a dear friend to many and a passionate teacher at University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She was fiercely loyal, deeply feeling, bitingly funny, and often outrageously sassy. She moved to Columbia, South Carolina in 2015 to be close to her daughter and grandchildren, who she adored spending time with. She taught Isabelle, Owen, and Gabriel how to play cards and never hesitated to win with a smile. Her last five years she spent teaching Gabe how to cook, imparting all of her wisdom and idiosyncratic opinions. She loved watching her grandchildren at the beach on Edisto Island and spending her favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, with us all. She was an avid reader, lover of geography and history, and traveler of the world. In 2004 she officially claimed her Irish citizenship. Besides her family and friends, her most enduring relationship was with cooking and enjoying good food – her favorite way of learning about other cultures was through cuisine. In her last years she fell in love with South Carolina through foodways, the beauty of the region, and the fascinatingly rich history of its people.

She is survived by her beloved older brother and sister-in-law, William and Judy Gallagher, several dear nieces, nephews, and cousins, many cherished friends, her grandchildren, Isabelle, Owen, and Gabriel, and her two children, Gretchen and Gar Woertendyke. Kathy never wanted a funeral, even before Covid-19 made such events a challenge, but she always wanted those who loved her to raise a glass and celebrate life. Sláinte.

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.southcarolinacremation.com