A private family memorial service will be held for Dianne Briggs Gallagher, 77, of Cornelia.
Mrs. Gallagher passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.
Born Oct. 4, 1944, in Stephens County, she was a daughter of the late Wiley Crawford Briggs and Martha Marlene Adams Briggs.
Mrs. Gallagher was a lifelong resident of Habersham County and a beloved teacher who retired from South Habersham after 24 years. She was a devoted member of Habersham Board of Education, where she served as chairman and vice-chairman. She also served eight years as curriculum director in White County and one year in Hall County. Mrs. Gallagher was a member of Georgia Association of Educators, National Association of Educators, Habersham Association of Educators, and Cornelia Kiwanis Club. She was inducted into the Georgia Teachers Hall of Fame in 1991 and was voted the 1993 State Middle School Science Teacher of the Year. She held degrees from Piedmont College, North Georgia College, and Clemson University. Mrs. Gallagher dedicated her life to education and professed her greatest legacy was devotion to her family and influencing countless lives in a career of over 40 years.
Mrs. Gallagher was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished time spent with her family and was known as the family matron. In her spare time, she was an avid vegetable and flower gardener who also enjoyed traveling with her husband. She loved the different seasons of the year and was sure to set the table with a meal and holiday decor.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, James Richard "Rick" Gallagher of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, James Richard "Jim" Gallagher Jr. (Jill) of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Maria Marrero (Tom) of Johns Creek; grandchildren, Ashley (Mike) Feuvrel, Anna Burroughs, Abby Burroughs, Audrey Marrero, Justin Gallagher, John Luke Gallagher, Jennings Gallagher, and Benjamin Gallagher; great-grandchildren, William Feuvrel, Mason Jones, Cooper Jones, Lilliana Feuvrel, Mariana Feuvrel, Nicholas Feuvrel, and Christian Feuvrel; great-great grandchild, Natalie Feuvrel; and sister, Eileen Hollowbush of Camphill, Pennsylvania.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habersham Humane Society, P.O. Box 1442, Clarkesville, GA 30523 or info@habershamhumane.org; or to Habersham County Academic Booster Club, c/o Habersham Central High School, 2059 State Highway 197 South, Mt. Airy, GA 30563.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.