We are sad to announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Elisabeth Gallagher (née Joan Elizabeth Gallagher), 74, on September 21st, 2023, in Dublin, California. She was born on November 3,1948, in San Francisco, California, the daughter of Mary Helen Gallagher, née Duffy, and Patrick Henry Gallagher.

She is survived by her daughter, Anna Khaja, her former husband Gene Khaja, as well as her brothers Patrick Gallagher and Vincent Gallagher, and sisters Mary Gallagher and Judie Gallagher .

Elisabeth grew up in Castro Valley, California, and attended Bishop O’Dowd High School, in Oakland during which time she was a Speech and Debate champion, and performed in many plays and musicals at the Woodminster Amphitheatre in the Oakland Hills. She received her bachelors in English and masters in Psychology from Cal State Hayward. She met her husband Gene in Berkeley, California, and they were married on May 5, 1973. They moved to Castro Valley, California, where their daughter, Anna, was born, in 1974.

Elisabeth taught elementary school for several years at All Saints Catholic School and Park Elementary in Hayward.

Elisabeth went on to receive a PhD in clinical psychology from Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Psychology and passed her state exam to be a licensed clinical psychologist. She eventually relocated to Dublin, CA and opened a successful private practice in Livermore, CA.

To all who knew her, Elisabeth was a bright-eyed, loving and sensitive presence. She was an incredible listener with a playful sense of humor and infectious laugh. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, a dedicated psychologist who showed great care for her clients, as well as an avid reader of mysteries, thrillers, and true crime books. Above all, she was a life-long lover and protector of animals, and a dedicated student and practitioner of spiritual and mystical knowledge.

She will forever be remembered as a bright, loving light.  Her kindness and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew her. 

A memorial service will be held at Graham-Hitch Chapel and Funeral Home on Sunday, October 22nd at 12pm. 

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