Deborah "Debbi" (Phillips) Gallagher

Deborah “Debbi” (Phillips) Gallagher died on October 17 in Columbus. She was 72. Born on March 29, 1943 in Rushville, she was the daughter of Richard and Louise Phillips. She graduated from Rushville High School in 1961. Debbi married Thomas “Tom” Gallagher on November 28, 1964 at St. Joseph Church in Shelbyville. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last November while surrounded by many family and friends. Tom survives. Throughout her married life, she gave of herself generously to caring for Tom and her children, Kelly Gallagher-Kiley (Patrick Kiley) and Sean Gallagher (Cindy Gallagher), who survive. In later years, she took great joy in sharing time with her grandchildren, Gavin and Anna Kiley and Michael, Raphael, Victor, Philip and Colin Gallagher, with whom she enjoyed playing basketball and baking Christmas cookies. Her love for St. Joseph Parish and School came through in her serving for more than 20 years as the school’s secretary. Her continued generous support of the school and her service as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and in bring Communion to the sick and homebound was a testament to her faith and her dedication to serving her parish and the broader community. As one who loved to find deals on clothes, especially shoes, it’s been thought that Debbi may have died with a 30 percent off Kohl’s coupon in her hand. Kohl’s stock is expected to take a drop upon the announcement of Debbi’s death. Debbi was preceded in death by her daughter Colleen Gallagher, her parents, her brother John Phillips, her beloved dog Molly. She is also survived by her sister Sarah Keyler and many friends and loved ones. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Father Aaron Pfaff will lead a vigil with rosary at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St. in Shelbyville, with Father John Fink, principal celebrant. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Joseph School, 127 E. Broadway, Shelbyville, IN 46176, or the charity of the donor’s choice.