Sister Antonia Gallagher was born on July 13, 1917, in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was given the name, Mary Margaret, in Baptism. She was the only child of P. Joseph Gallagher, a native of Glasgow, Scotland and Margaret Mary Healey, who came from Ireland.

Sister Antonia attended St. Michael School in Lowell, where she came to know the Dominican Sisters. In February, 1945, she entered St. Catharine Community. She was professed August 15, 1946.

Her first assignment was to Our Lady of Lourdes School in Queens Village, New York, where she taught for nine years. In 1955 she was made superior and principal at St. Michael School, Orland Park, Illinois. After six years she went to St. Michael School, Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1963, she became principal of St. Patrick Grade School, Watertown, Massachusetts where she remained for seventeen years. During these years she also taught music.

Sister Antonia received her Bachelor’s degree from Siena College and her Master’s in Education/Administration from Boston State.

In 1980, Sister Antonia began a new ministry as Tenant Selection Coordinator for the Watertown Housing Authority and later as Elderly Service Management Assistant. Her kind and happy disposition was a blessing to those she served. Her smile was her trademark.

Sister Antonia retired from active ministry in 1991 and came to Sansbury Care Center in December, 1993. Here she was most content when she joined a small group of her friends in conversation or comfortable silence.

We rejoice with her now as she joins the choir of angels in song.