Pauline F. “Polly” (Fitzwilliam) Gallagher

Pauline F. “Polly” (Fitzwilliam) Gallagher, of Hingham and formerly of Florida, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Harbor House in Hingham. She was 89.

Born and raised in Brighton, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret (Corrigan) Fitzwilliams. Polly attended local schools and graduated with the Class of 1947. She continued her education at Boston University, earning her bachelor’s degree in education. Polly later earned several master’s degrees from both Northeastern and Boston University.

Polly valued education and took pride in being a lifelong student. She believed in her students and always wanted the best for them. Polly loved being an educator and held many positions throughout her career. She started teaching with Hingham Public Schools, later to teach at Curry College in the Education Department and ended her career teaching special needs for Cohasset Public Schools. Polly happily retired in 2001 at the age of 72.

A woman of great faith, Polly lived her life in accordance with the Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity. She raised her family with love and instilled morals and values to her children. Polly has a special devotion to the Our Lady’s Holy Rosary and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a friendly person and cultivated a large network of friends in her parish community.

In Polly’s spare time, she enjoyed playing and watching golf. For many years, she lived on a golf course in Plymouth. She had a corner unit with a 200 degree view of the course right at the 17th green. Polly was also a gifted amateur interior designer. She always had exquisite taste and enjoyed decorating her home.

The most important part of Polly’s life, was being able to spend time with her family, grandchildren and friends. She was most proud of the people her children and grandchildren grew up to be.

Polly was a sweet person, kind and polite up until the end. She was strong willed, intelligent and out going. Her life lessons, examples and morals are her legacy that continue through her family. She will be missed by all the lives she touched.

Polly was the devoted mother of Raymond F. Gallagher III and his wife Veronica Kane of Scituate, Roger J. Gallagher and his wife Cione of Hingham, Christopher J. Gallagher and his wife Linda of Marshfield and the late Geraldine “Geri” Cella and her surviving husband Dick of Pembroke. She was the loving grandmother of five and the dear sister of Ed Fitzwilliam and his wife Donna of Hingham and Geri Hanlon and her late husband Ed of Duxbury. Polly is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Polly’s memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Pauline may be made to Alzheimer’s Assn., MA Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.