Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday for Martha Sause Gallagher, Sharpsville. She passed away peacefully at 9:30 p.m. Saturday (4-18-15) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System after succumbing to a brief bout of pneumonia. She was 97. Mrs. Gallagher was born Aug. 20, 1917, in Youngstown, the daughter of William L. and Jane Flannery Sause. She attended St. Edward's Grade School and graduated in 1934 from Rayen High School, Youngstown, after which she entered the business program at Youngstown College. Prior to her marriage, she worked for Youngstown Sheet & Tube for a short time, and after moving to Sharon, for the telephone company. In later years, she worked as activity director for John XXIII Home, Hermitage, a position she fully embraced and cherished. Her husband, E.L. Gallagher, whom she married Oct. 17, 1942, passed away in July 1968. A homemaker, Martha Gallagher was strong in faith and prayer, especially bolstered by Mass and praying the Rosary. Her courage and resilience allowed her to overcome many challenges and hardships. As family matriarch and friend, she shared an indomitable spirit that inspired her relationships. This characteristic, as well as her signature thoughtfulness, always seemed to keep her younger than her years. Her family will miss her cheerful encouragement, winsome ways and constant correspondence. Mrs. Gallagher loved life and being with people. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Church in Sharon and enjoyed participating in many organizations including parish council; Widow's Group; Bible Study group; women's guild, for which she served two terms as president; and John XXIII Home Ladies Auxiliary, also serving twice as president. Surviving are three sons, Lawrence (Carmelita), San Francisco, Calif.; William, Aiken, S.C.; and Michael (Toni), Cortland, Ohio; a daughter, Nancy G. Briggs (Joseph), Darnestown, Md.; six grandchildren, Maura Gallagher; Justin, Katharine and Alyssa Briggs; and Devin and Thomas Zamary; and a son-in-law, William Zamary. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; two sons, Thomas M. Gallagher and Christopher G. Gallagher; and a daughter, Faith E. Gallagher Zamary. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution to please consider St. Joseph's Church Women's Guild, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, PA 16146; St. John XXIII Home Ladies Auxiliary, 2250 Shenango Valley Freeway, Hermitage, PA 16148; or Bethany House Services (BHS), 1841 Fairmount Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45214. Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (4-24-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Services: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (4-25-15) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas J. Whitman, pastor, as celebrant. Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.