Thomasina Gallagher

Thomasina (Tomi) Gallagher, 102, devoted her life to family, music, and her beloved community of Saranac Lake, NY. She passed away peacefully on October 24th at Saranac Village at Will Rogers with her family by her side.

From the age of five, Tomi studied classical piano at the Academy of Holy Names in Albany, NY, where she was born, and later at The Julliard School in Manhattan, NY. Throughout her life, she kept her baby grand piano, ‘the lady”, that she received as a gift from her mother when Tomi was 4 years old.

After Julliard, Tomi wanted to play jazz piano in a Manhattan nightclub. Her family had a fit. And then a twist of fate. Tommy met and wed Bill Gallagher and their 60+ year romance began (as their seven children can attest!).

Tomi and Bill had an open-door policy at their home and hosted Fresh Air Students, foreign exchange students, visiting clergy, and many new and life-long friends. The Gallaghers’ house was the hub of activity for the children and their friends and the location for many parties, sleepovers, and projects.

Another focal point for the Gallagher family was their state camp on Lower Saranac. They spent many days swimming, waterskiing, and boating through the locks and picnicking on Middle Lake. Many precious memories were made from those days on the lakes.

In the early 1950s, most musicians did not want to come to Saranac Lake because of the weather and the traveling distance. When Tomi and Bill moved from NYC to Saranac Lake in 1953, Tomi went into culture shock, as she called it. This led Tomi and a small group of women to become a leading force in bringing more musicians to Saranac Lake. The women worked hard to attract artists to the area. In addition to paying the artists, they provided meals and lodging and opened their homes to the visiting performing artists.

Once the community learned of Tomi’s musicianship, she was asked to perform regularly in local establishments as a popular soloist and accompanist. She was a regular soloist at the luxury resort, The Point, and numerous venues in and around Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. She was the church pianist and organist at St. Bernard’s Church and a visiting organist for other local churches. Tomi was also a pianist for Pendragon Theater and for performances at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. She worked with the Arts and Ed Tours and the Saranac Lake Young Arts Association, and taught music in the Saranac Lake elementary schools.

Tomi was active in many programs that supported the community. She and a group of women were instrumental in bringing Title 9 funds to the school district so that girls could participate more fully in school sports. She and Bill were both involved in community sporting events and were proud to be volunteers for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Tomi was a board member for Historic Saranac Lake, volunteered with the Hospital Auxiliary, and was a mentor in the Saranac Lake school system’s mentoring program started by her husband, Bill, to give extra support to students selected by teachers.

As a beloved member of her community, Tomi was named queen of the Winter Carnival in 2006.

Her natural grace, wit, and generosity has touched many lives.

Until several months ago, Tomi was the pianist for the Will Rogers Singers at Saranac Village at Will Rogers. Her ‘lady’ remained her life-long companion and her playing is remembered as a source of joy for all.

Thomasina is predeceased by her husband, Bill, and her children, Ann and Bob. She is survived by her children, Gail (Jerry), Chip (Carol), Felista (Skip), Kevin, and Beth (Mark); grandchildren, Mackenzie, Katharine, Jacquelyn, Melina, and Tabitha; and great grandchildren, Jace, Beau, Amelia, Finnegan, Luke, Mark, and John.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Friday October 30, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday October 31, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake with Rev. Martin Cline Officiating. Burial will take place in Harrieststown Cemetery in Saranac Lake at a later date.

Family and friends wishing to remember Thomasina are asked to consider making memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Young Arts Association in care of the funeral home.  https://www.saranaclakeyoungarts.org/donate

Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.