Obituary of Jean Finerty Gallaway

JEAN FINERTY GALLAWAY Jean Finerty Gallaway, 92, died on June 3, 2011 in Ocala, Florida. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she spent most of her childhood in Basking Ridge, NJ. In 1938, she married E. Haas Gallaway who was the founder and owner of the Gallaway Funeral Home. In 1949, the firm expanded and opened an additional branch in Bernardsville, NJ, where she then moved with her husband and family. For many years, the couple maintained a residence in Delray Beach, FL. In 1990, they permanently moved to Delray Beach and later to Boynton Beach, FL. Mrs. Gallaway moved to Ocala four years ago. She was a 1936 graduate of Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ, where she was the Valedictorian of her class. Upon graduation, Mrs. Gallaway attended and graduated from the Berkley Business School in East Orange, NJ. Her business skills were successfully proven as she assisted her husband in the operation of his funeral business and additional businesses which they owned. Jean was a long time member of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church where she was one of the oldest surviving members of its congregation; 2011 marks her 80th year as a member of the church. She was the widow of E. Haas Gallaway who died in 1998. Jean is survived by her four sons, E. Haas Jr. and his wife Diane of Bernardsville NJ, W. Scott and his partner, Suzanne Lagay of Annandale, NJ, M. Keith and his wife Karen of Port Murray, NJ and James N. of Ocala, FL. She is also survived by her brother, Jack H. Tarner of Myrtle Beach, SC, eleven grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren. Services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 10:30AM at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1 East Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finely Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ on June 7th from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jean's name to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 1 East Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. For further information call Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home (908)766-0250 or visit gcfuneralhome.com.