Sally A (Gallagher) Mueller

WALES, Mass. – Sally A. Gallagher Mueller, 81, of Wales, Mass., passed away Monday, November 11, 2024. Born in Stafford Springs, Conn. on September 9, 1943, daughter of Rayford R Gallagher Sr and Grayce M Robinson, she graduated high school from Springfield Technical, attended Springfield Technical Community College, and received a master’s degree from Westfield State University.

She was passionate about her work and served the State of Massachusetts for over three decades, primarily in the Department of Developmental Services. During Sally’s accomplished career, she was notably awarded 2004 Advocate of the Year while serving as Area Director. The recognition highlighted her hands-on approach, advocacy, and planning that helped individuals, agencies, and families receive crucial funding to receive or provide quality service. Sally always placed the welfare of individuals above bureaucracy, funding shortfalls, and issues that at times seemed insurmountable. Her dedicated work helped numerous handicapped adults in achieving their goals and dreams that many thought were insurmountable. Sally was a selfless woman and cared deeply for her family.

She raised three boys and rarely missed a moment of her grandchildren’s lives. She encouraged time spent exploring outdoors, emphasized education, and always had a good book to share. She is regarded by many as a pillar of support and guidance. Sally enjoyed traveling and creating new memories and traditions. Whether retelling her travels abroad to Europe over high tea, organizing Gallagher family reunions, or packing up the car to travel with or to her family, she was always eager to share life with those she loved. Sally spent many happy years of her life living on Lake George in Wales, Mass.

She enjoyed spending days on her porch waving to neighbors and watching, at times nervously, her sons and grandchildren speed by on boats, water skies, and jet-skis. She was an avid animal lover and was kept in good company with her well-loved cats throughout her life.

Sally’s memory is cherished and survived by her sister Suzanne Gallagher of St. Johnsbury, VT, two sons, Jeffery Mueller, and his wife, Maureen, of Gilbertville, Mass., Joel Mueller and his wife, Hilary, of Fort Myers, Fla.; five grandchildren, Ivey Ann, Mabel Elizabeth, Rayford Joel, and Emily Gallagher; Erica Stanton, and great-granddaughter Angelina Leone. She was predeceased by her brother, Rayford Gallagher Jr., and son, Eric Mueller.

Family will receive friends beginning at 4 p.m. prior to a memorial service held in Sally’s honor from 5 to 6 p.m. on November 21, 2024, at Sansoucy Funeral Home, 40 Marcy Street, Southbridge, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally’s memory to the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc. PO Box 269, Wales, MA 01081.

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