Dorothy Jane Gallaugher

Dorothy (“Dot”) Aberle Gallaugher, 90, beloved wife of Patrick “Pat” Gallaugher, passed away in a local hospital after a brief illness on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, with her family by her side.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph “Arthur” Joseph Aberle and Adele Griffin Aberle, and her sister, Jean Aberle Smart. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Pat Gallaugher of Lake Charles, her children, Patrick “Pat” Gallaugher, Jr. (Paula) of Lake Charles, Kevin Gallaugher of Austin, Texas, Adele Gallaugher Wallace (Brian) of Houston, Texas, Michael Gallaugher (William Sonner) of New Orleans, and two grandchildren, Mary Kate Gallaugher of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Aidan Gallaugher of Baton Rouge.

Dot was born in Tampa, Florida on February 11, 1927. She attended the Academy of the Holy Names and graduated from H. B. Plant High School 1945.  Her father was a shipping manager for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company and she moved to Lake Charles when he was transferred to the local office of that company in the late 1940s.  Dot attended Florida State University before moving to Lake Charles, then enrolled at McNeese State University before transferring to LSU where she received a degree in Business Administration in 1949.

Dot married Pat Gallaugher in 1950. She was his devoted wife for 67 years and often described him as “the love of my life.”  Dot and Pat spent their entire married life in Lake Charles, leading self-sufficient and productive lives into their 90s. She was a doting grandmother.  Dot had a love of cooking and food, was a passionate bridge player, and an avid reader. She played tennis most of her life and continued to play competitive doubles until she was 75.

Dot was a devout, lifelong Catholic, and a member of Immaculate Conception Parish for almost 70 years.  She and Pat were Sacristans at Immaculate Conception Cathedral for many years, and she served as Eucharistic Minister.  Her faith in God and love of family were her highest priorities. She was a volunteer for many charitable organizations including the Board of ESSA (Food Pantry).

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, November 4, 2017, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 935 Bilbo Street, Lake Charles, and a funeral Mass at that Cathedral following the visitation at 11 a.m. Arrangements were made under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Faith & Friends Food Pantry P.O. Box 7344 Lake Charles, LA 70606, Food for the Poor, or a charity of your choice.