Remembering the late, great Anna Gallagher

Anna Gallagher, who died in Culmore Manor on April 9th, was one of Derry’s great educators.

A long-time teacher and vice principal at St. Anne’s Primary School in Rosemount, her teaching memories went back to the 1940s. Indeed, although she retired in 1988, many of her educational aids and books continue to be used by teachers in the school to this day.

Elizabeth Anne orAnna, as she was affectionately known, was born to Hugh and Nora Gallagher in 1923, one of six surviving children. Formerly of Bishop Street and Nualamount Drive, in recent years she lived with her sisters Agnes, Clare (pre-deceased) and brother, Pappy, in O’Donovan Road. Another brother, well-known builder Alphonsus (Sonny) Gallagher, had died in 1971, while another sister, Philomena, now resides in a nursing home in Randalstown.

Anna often spoke lovingly of her parents. Hers was an upbringing of its time; one that instilled the traditional values of hard work, education and achievement. Yet there was time for fun. Anna, along with her brothers and sisters enjoyed their annual holiday in Portstewart, where the family visited for the month of August. Anna’s own path in life took her on to Craiglockhart College (now part of Edinburgh Napier University) and into teaching, which she embraced with a true vocation.

Anna began her teaching career at Rosemount Girls in days when classrooms of 60 children were not unusual. Anna spoke of having to light a fire

Article source: http://www.derryjournal.com/news/remembering-the-late-great-anna-gallagher-1-7357245