Gallagher, Denise KELLER -- After a valiant and dignified battle with cancer, Denise Gallagher died June 29, 2008 at home surrounded by her loving husband and sons. She was 51 years old. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and loyal friend. Born in Marion, Ohio, she lived in places as diverse as Germany, South Carolina, the New York City area, and North Texas, but always considered Manhasset, New York home. Denise embraced life with a passion and joy that led her to truly make every day matter. She loved to travel with her husband, friends, and family, especially to Disney World and New York City, two of her favorite places on earth. While the men in her family made her proud, they often seemed to fail to measure up to beloved beagle Buster and puggle Rory. She was an accomplished paralegal in family law in South Carolina. Prior to being diagnosed with endometrial cancer a year ago, she had begun taking classes to fulfill her dream of becoming a family therapy counselor. As an exceptional listener and problem-solver, she would have been terrific. She had an uncanny ability to see both sides of every issue and give others the benefit of the doubt. A celebration of her extraordinary life will be held at White's Chapel United Methodist Church at 185 South White Chapel Blvd. in Southlake, Texas on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 2:00 pm.

She will be missed more than words can say. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation to benefit low income single mothers. Denise and her family are devoted Dallas Cowboys season ticket holders, and she had a special appreciation for Roy's foundation

Her husband Mike wrote, "Denise died at 7:12 in the morning on June 29, 2008. She was where she wanted to be, in our bedroom, surrounded by the husband and four sons who adored her. A hospice nurse, an angel if there ever was one, sat quietly nearby. It's a dumb phrase right out of the movies, but she died in my arms, our son Matt holding her hand."