Janet Katherine Gallagher

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a family who loves her deeply and a community enriched by her warmth, selflessness, devotion and nurturing nature.

Janet Katharine Gallagher passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026 after an extended illness, remaining forever in the hearts of a family who loves her deeply and a community enriched by her warmth, selflessness, devotion and nurturing nature.

Janet was born on November 17, 1940 in Brattleboro, VT, the daughter of Gordon John Walker and Bernice Shirley (Pike) Walker. She spent her childhood in Brattleboro, dedicating countless hours to practicing the piano and organ. She attended Castleton State College, attaining a B.S. in Education in 1962 with a major in English literature and minor in classical music. A virtuoso pianist, she was playing Liszt, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff by the age of 15.

She was married in 1963 to James Raymond Gallagher, her devoted husband of 63 years. After teaching elementary school for several years, she left full-time teaching early to concentrate on raising her three children. Janet mentored them, instilling the importance of education as central to their development. With a twinkle in her Irish eyes, she was always quick to point out any errors in their use of the written and spoken English language. 

She took special requests on the piano to lull her children to sleep, most notably Moonlight Sonata. As well as substitute teaching, Janet realized her calling to combine her passion for learning with her exceptional abilities as a classically-trained vocalist and pianist. For decades, she inspired countless students throughout Jericho and Underhill to learn how to play the piano.

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she was always quick to point out any errors in their use of the written and spoken English language.

Janet established and led music ministries in several churches to include St. Pius X in Essex, the United Methodist Church and St Thomas, both in Underhill, sharing her gifts and talents to congregations for the glory of God. From the joys of marriages and celebrations, including cantering at her three children’s weddings, to the sorrows of losing loved ones, Janet’s voice and organ accompaniment provided opportunities for praise, adoration, and personal transformation for many.

A devout Catholic, she entered the Catholic Church as a young adult. In addition to raising her family in the Church with devotion and reverence to the faith and Sacraments, she also shared her faith and gift of teaching through Catechism classes with elementary age students. Janet served the Lord through serving others in various ministries including leading the local food shelf, visiting the sick and homebound, and collecting and distributing Christmas presents to the community. She treated each person, whether stranger or friend, with love, compassion, and dignity, always listening to their story. Janet was a frequent donor to the local blood bank for decades, and served the community of Jericho as Justice of the Peace for ten years.

Janet enjoyed many hobbies and passions in life, especially gardening and grooming her flower beds daily and taking hours picking out the perfect birthday card. She and her husband Jim enjoyed many special trips to classical concerts, including Boston Pops, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli. The inner English teacher came through in spades every time a questionable word was played in Words-with-Friends, breaking out the dictionary and challenging her opponent’s play. Janet became an avid Red Sox fan, emotionally responding to every pitch and at bat of every game. Her Red Sox won four World Series since 2004, and she attended several games at Fenway Park to cheer on her favorite team. Above all, Janet loved spending time talking and laughing with her grandchildren and great grand-daughter, catching up on all of their activities.

As a breast cancer survivor, Janet battled Lupus for over 20 years, exhibiting courage, toughness, tenacity, and above all else, a steadfast faith. Despite being in constant pain, she would maintain a kind and heartfelt demeanor with health care staff, frequently ending the conversation with “God bless you.”

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she treated each person, whether stranger or friend, with love, compassion, and dignity, always listening to their story.

She is survived by her beloved husband, James Gallagher; her son Michael and wife Melissa of Woodbine, MD; her daughter Colleen Kotb and husband Adel of Arlington, VA; and son Patrick and wife Colleen of Venetia, PA; as well as seven grandchildren: Kevin, John, Nathan, Zachary, Caitlin, Hannah, and Ella; and great-granddaughter Isla.

A visitation will be held at Clifford Funeral Home at 2 Washington St., Rutland, VT on Saturday November 14, 2026 from 9:00am to 11:00am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bridget Catholic Church in West Rutland, VT at 12:00pm immediately followed by burial at St. Bridget Cemetery in West Rutland, VT. Kindly join us for the reception thereafter.

In memory of Janet, donations may be made to any of the following:

Lupus Foundation of America

University of Vermont Cancer Center