Martha B. Gallagher, 94, of Pleasant Gap, formerly of Boalsburg, died peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Mount Nittany Medical Center as the sun was rising.
Born January 27, 1930, in Vestaburg, PA. She was the daughter of the late John and Sophia (Hulpa) Buganich. Martha was very proud of her Carpathian-Russian heritage and her immigrant parents.
On July 18, 1953, she married James P. Gallagher in Harrisburg, PA, who preceded her in death.
She was preceded in death by brothers Michael, Charles, Andrew, and Paul, a World War II Navy casualty: sisters Juliana Matz, Elizabeth Buvinger, Margaret Barnes, and Anna Staver. Also, preceding Martha were a brother John and sister Maria Motrunich of Ukraine. Martha is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the United States, Ukraine, Germany, and Russia.
She is survived by her two children, John J. Gallagher and his wife, Lynn, of South Haven, MI: Martha A. Gallagher (Marty) and her husband Marc P. Stachowski, of Spring Mills, and grandchildren, John J. Gallagher Jr. (Joe) and Kelsey B. Gallagher. Martha loved her family dearly and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.
Martha grew up on a farm in Bernville, PA. She graduated from Hamburg High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Husbandry from the Penn State School of Agriculture, class of 1952. While at Penn State, Martha was the secretary of the Dairy Science Club, showed cattle in the Dairy Exposition, and participated in the Modern Dance Club. Martha met her husband Jim while attending Penn State where they had classes and college activities together. Martha worked at the Pattee Library at Penn State for over 20 years in various capacities. When she retired in 1992, she was a Slavic language cataloger.
Martha was a unique person that was fiercely independent. She loved to read and learn new things and to keep abreast of current events. She read the Sunday New York Times almost weekly. She was enthusiastic about discussing politics and current issues. Martha was active in OLLI, and several garden clubs. Years ago, she taught English as a second language to Russian immigrants and helped many navigate social issues. She loved the arts and especially the opera. She even drove through a snowstorm to attend a simulcast of the Metropolitan Opera at the State Theatre this winter. In addition, Martha walked most days at her home in Boalsburg and at the Oaks.
Her true passion was gardening and PA native plants. She loved the “Land,” her property in Boalsburg, and lived there for over 40 years. Her most significant gardening achievement was a large gardenia plant. The gardenia originated from a cutting taken from a sister’s corsage in 1942 and propagated by her mother Sophia. When her mother died 1964, Martha cared for the gardenia until she donated it to the Arboretum at Penn State a few years ago. Hence, she referred to it as Margaret-Sophia-Martha for the three women that sustained the gardenia. Please visit the gardenia at the Arboretum in the scent garden.
Martha moved to the Oaks in 2023 where she remained active and made many new friends. She would work in her garden beds, attend exercise classes, and walk on the trails.
Martha will be laid to rest in Boalsburg Cemetery next to her husband Jim. Her burial will be private and scheduled at the convenience of the family. A gathering to celebrate Martha’s life will be held at a later date.
You may make memorial contributions in Martha’s memory to a charity of your choice that is important to you.
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.