Mary Lou Gallagher

OLATHE, Kan. — Mary Lou Gallagher, a fierce advocate for the vulnerable and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. She was 78.

Her family is heartbroken, but finds comfort in knowing she has found peace after years of illness, including three and a half years of home hospice. She also previously fought a courageous battle against breast cancer.

Born on Oct. 3, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mary Lou was the second of four children to parents Carmeline and Bill Caggiano.

At 15, she met the love of her life, Bill Gallagher. Their romance — built on shared moments at St. George’s and St. Wendelin’s basketball games, school dances, and movie nights — led to marriage on Feb. 16, 1968, during Bill’s 30-day leave from the U.S. Army and transfer from Anchorage, Alaska. Shortly afterward, they moved to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and started their new life with a rescue dog named Puppy.

They relocated several times through the years — first back to Pittsburgh, then to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1980, and finally Olathe, Kansas, in 1985. Mary Lou and Bill raised three children: Bill, Tommy (Rachel Lenzi), and Gina (Greg Mies). Gina became a mother as Mary Lou and Bill welcomed two granddaughters, Sophie and Lucy, into their lives.

Despite the demands of motherhood, marriage, and full-time work, Mary Lou pursued higher education in her 40s. She earned her Bachelor's degree in counseling, Summa Cum Laude, from Ottawa University, and a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Mary Lou tirelessly advocated for others. She served as Executive Director of Johnson County Substance Abuse Services and later co-founded Community Outreach Services, Inc. with her daughter, Gina. She also worked in real estate alongside her son, Bill. She consistently provided a voice for children in crisis, women facing domestic violence, people battling addiction, and people living with AIDS.

Mary Lou loved music — especially The Skyliners, Bee Gees, and the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever.” She was an avid fan of “The Golden Girls” and found comfort in praying the rosary and in her Catholic faith. Her favorite hymn was “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

She adored art, particularly if it was created by family. Her home was filled with her father's paintings, and she would proudly tell guests, “My dad painted that.” She once helped her daughter Gina write and illustrate a storybook at age 7 following a camping trip gone awry — and it remains a treasured keepsake to this day.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband Bill; children Bill, Tommy (Rachel Lenzi), and Gina (Greg Mies); granddaughters Sophie and Lucy; sisters Angela (Ken) Debski and Joann Lach; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Caggiano, and her parents, Carmeline and Bill.

Despite her small physical stature, her sharp wit, candid humor, and vibrant personality always filled the largest of rooms.

A force of nature — opinionated, passionate, colorful, and unpredictable — Mary Lou taught her children to stand up for others and to pursue joy wherever they found it. Her legacy is one of courage, compassion, and the unwavering belief in living life fully and fearlessly. She emboldened others to be brave.

Funeral arrangements will be shared by the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Catholic Community Hospice, the organization whose caring staff worked tirelessly ensuring Mary Lou’s comfort. Click to donate

The family will be holding a private funeral mass for Mary at a later date.

To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for her family, visit the guestbook below.