Warm tributes paid to woman who died after being attacked by man with a knife
Olivia Kelleher
Warm tributes have been paid to retired chemical engineer, Stella Gallagher, who died after was attacked by a man armed with a knife near her home in Ballinlough in Cork city last Monday.
The native of Ballinspittle, Co Cork, worked for many years at Eli Lilly in Kinsale, where she is fondly remembered.
The 59-year-old, who lived in Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough, also had a very active life in the community.
She was held in high esteem at the Togher Community Garden, which is a volunteer-led not-for-profit facility on the southside of Cork city.
In a statement online, her fellow gardeners said that it was with “profound sadness” that they learned of the passing of their dear friend and gifted gardener Stella.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and fellow gardener, Stella.
“Stella was a cherished and invaluable friend to us all in the Togher Community Garden family. Her absence will be deeply felt by everyone here.
"We will especially remember her beautiful smile and the gentle person she was to everyone she met. Our garden will always hold memories of her kindness.
"We send our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, dear Stella. “
Meanwhile, her condolences page on Rip.ie features dozens of tributes from people Stella met on her journey through life.
A fellow gardener in the Togher Community Garden said that Stella “who somebody
who made such an impression so quickly.”
“Her personality really shone through. She brought a lot of life into our garden, it's the people who make a community, & with the mark she left on us, she'll always be a part of ours.
Mrs Gallagher was also a much-valued member of the SHEP Community Choir. A representative of the choir posted that Stella was a member “since the very beginning” and loved being part of that community
“She was a very gentle and caring presence in the choir and brought much joy to others through her singing and camaraderie.
She recognised the power and comfort of singing with others.
She was also a very committed and generous supporter of the choir's fundraising initiatives. She was much loved and will be very much missed. May her gentle and kind soul be at peace.”
A fellow choir member said that Stella was a “kind, thoughtful, gentle lady who always had time for a chat”, with another member describing her as “ beautiful both inside and out.”
Her former coworkers at Eli Lilly in Kinsale noted her “kind, caring nature” as well as her competency as an engineer.
One person who worked alongside her for many years said that it was a “pleasure and privilege to have worked with her” whilst another stated that they had learned a lot from her “both in engineering and in life.”
Another person spoke of their fond memories of working with Stella in Pegasus Engineering in the late 1980s at the start of their respective careers.
Mrs Gallagher, nee Griffin, was also fondly remembered by parents whose children attended St Anthony’s NS in Ballinlough at the same time as her sons.
A classmate of hers in secondary school remembered her “ warm, kind, gentle and unassuming” friend.
Mrs Gallagher’s kind nature was present from the very start of her life, with an old classmate from primary school who had not seen her for decades recalling her gentleness.
Meanwhile, the funeral will take place on Tuesday for Mrs Gallagher, whose husband Brian was also seriously injured in the stabbing incident.
Her death notice reads that she is survived by her husband Brian and her children Ciara, Conor and Mark.
She is also “sadly missed” by her brother Denis, parents-in-law Val and Geraldine, brothers-in-law Alan and Mark, sisters in law Erika, Ann, Michele and Mary, nephews nieces, extended family and friends.
The “much-loved mother” will lie in repose at the Temple Hill Funeral Home in Boreenmanna Road in Cork from 5pm to 6pm tomorrow. (Monday)
Her requiem mass will take place on Tuesday at 11 am in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ballinlough. The mass will be live-streamed. Burial will follow at St Michael’s Cemetery in Blackrock in Cork city.
Meanwhile, David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough in Cork, has been charged with the murder of his mother and with assault causing harm to his father, close to the family home in Ballinlough last Monday night.
Mr Gallagher (25) was remanded in custody following his court appearance last Wednesday. He will appear before Cork District Court again by video link on Wednesday.
