Resident At Brighton Gardens Of Stamford Celebrates 102nd Birthday

STAMFORD, CT — Eileen Gallagher, a resident at Brighton Gardens of Stamford, celebrated her 102nd birthday on Thursday.

Eileen's road to Stamford had many stops along the way.

Born Sept. 1, 1920, in Minneapolis, Minn., Eileen Ritten was one of four siblings. While in the 10th grade in high school, she met Bob Gallagher through her sister, who ran the school's lost and found. Eileen eventually graduated high school in 1938, and married Bob on Sept. 30, 1941.

The couple moved to Detroit for Bob's brief career in the U.S. Border Patrol. Bob enlisted in the army shortly after December 1941, and Eileen then embarked on a career of following him from base to base, with stops in Michigan, New York, Maryland, Louisiana and Texas, and finally to San Francisco where Bob was shipped out to Okinawa, Japan.

Eileen found work as a secretary at each base through the United Service Organization. After World War II ended, the Gallaghers lived in Richland, Va., and Idaho Falls, Idaho, and later in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pa. In 1954, they moved to Rye, N.Y., where Eileen stayed until she came to Brighton Gardens about four years ago.

In 1972, Bob passed away at the age of 52. Eileen's son, Jerry Gallagher, believes his father's death at a young age gave Eileen certain skills to have such a prolonged and happy life.

Eileen retired from working for James River Insurance in the mid-1980's. She now has plenty of family in Stamford, which includes Jerry and his wife Judy; granddaughter Katie Thomas and her husband Brendan Thomas; and great grandsons Ryan, Jack and Sean.

Eileen also a grandson in Patrick Gallagher who is married to Katie, along with great granddaughter Clare, and great grandson John; and grandson Neal Gallagher and his wife Caroline. She has many favorite nieces and nephews in Minnesota.

At Brighton Gardens Of Stamford, Eileen likes to take part in arts. But on Thursday, she took some time to enjoy birthday cake with her family and friends.