JULY 30 1934 - JANUARY 13 2022
Joan Gallagher, of Stockton California, passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on January 13, 2022.
Joan was born in San Francisco, California, on July 30, 1934 to Raymond and Julia Valentin. Joan was the eldest of six children and was lovingly raised in a close-knit family. Joan graduated from Edison High School, and continued her education at Stockton Jr. College. Upon graduation, she returned to San Francisco where she worked as a clerk at the Fire Rating Bureau. Joan moved to Sacramento in 1961 where she started her Civil Service career as a Secretary at McClellan Air Force base. She met and married Sgt. James Gallagher and accompanied him to the United Kingdom where she worked as a Clerk-Steno for the U.S Air Force in South Ruislip. Joan returned to the U.S and continued her career in the Space Missile Systems office at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino CA.
A second tour to Europe took her and her family to Oxfordshire where she secured a position as a Stenographer/Secretary for the Base Commander at RAF Upper Heyford.
She later returned to the U.S and worked at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri, and in 1980, Joan was assigned as Secretary-Steno for NORAD in North Bay Canada. She relocated to Illinois, and successfully worked three different positions within the Communications Command until her retirement in 1996 from the Directorate of Manpower & Personnel U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base. She received the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Medal accompanied by a letter of appreciation from President Clinton for her outstanding service and dedication to the U.S Air Force, the U.S Transportation Command and the Department of Defense. She was also presented with a U.S flag that was flown over our nation's Capitol in honor of her 35 years of service.
Joan’s profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was a special moment in her life. Her volunteer service for the Lord and her community included leading a team of “greeters”, facilitating a Celebrate Recovery group and devoting her time as a nursery volunteer. Joan also taught the Missionettes Girls’ Club and took pride in community outreach and nursing home visitations. She loved the Lord, the Word of God, and attending Church.
Joan’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joys of her life. Her children include Susan Smith (Jeremy Smith), Leanora Abbs (Barry Abbs), Teri Slack and Valerie Hill (Thomas Hill).
Her grandchildren, Cameron Stewart-Smith (Abbi Stewart-Smith), Aaron Robok-Abbs (Lottie Robok-Abbs), Kayleigh Hobson (James Hobson), Samantha Loxton (Harry Loxton) and Emily Abbs.
Her great grandchildren, Caleb Stewart-Smith, Levi Stewart-Smith and Theodore Robok-Abbs brought much happiness and warmth to her heart.
Joan was preceded in death by her brothers MacArthur Valentin and Raymond Valentin, her sisters Melba Cole and Linda Andersen, and her daughters Susan Smith and Teri Slack.
She is survived by her brother Peter Valentin (Jo Hamdy), her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
SERVICES:
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday January 31, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Cherokee Memorial Park in the Vineyard Chapel located at 14165 N. Beckman Road., Lodi CA 95240