Dominican Sister of Peace Sister Colleen Gallagher died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH on July 21, 2025. She was born in 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in 1953 entered the Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace. In 2024 she celebrated her 70th jubilee as a consecrated woman religious.
Sr. Colleen ministered as a teacher and school administrator, in the Education Department of the Diocese of Columbus, as Vice President of Mission Development for the Franciscan Health System, and as chaplain at Mount Carmel, Mercy, and St. Anthony Hospitals in Columbus and at Mohun Health Care Center. She was also the Promoter for the Arts at St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University) and during a sabbatical, spent time in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
During the funeral liturgy for Sr. Colleen Gallagher, Sr. Ellen Dunn, long-time friend of Sr. Colleen, recalled that she was a witness for peace and non-violence. “During Sr. Colleen’s trip to Ireland… it was always a message of community she brought…from helping small children learn their way or with other teachers on retreat. She was an artist through all her life but never claimed a singular time to be artist only, it seemed better for her to weave gifts into the moment as needed or the possible that presented ...she experienced the richness of a life well-lived.”
She earned her BA in Art and English from St. Mary of the Springs College, now Ohio Dominican University, and her MA in Counseling and Education from DePaul University. She also studied at the University of Notre Dame, The University of Puerto Rico, the Ohio State University, and New York Medical Center, where she earned certification in Clinical Pastoral Education. She received a Dominican Institute for the Arts Spirit Award for her service to the organization and received a distinguished alumni award from Ohio Dominican University.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Mary Sullivan Gallagher, and her brothers, Martin and Thomas. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Colleen’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219 or submitted securely at oppeace.org.
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Sister Colleen was a marvelous lady! I will miss the joy and compassion she radiated. 🙏🏼