Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday January 5 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Moore, OK.

Ann Patricia Gallagher Murray was known as Neans most of her life. She lived in south Oklahoma City. She died January 1st, 2017, due to complications from pneumonia. Neans was born on March 7th, 1927 to Sean and Eileen Gallagher, in Dublin, Ireland. She was the oldest of 3 children; her siblings were Aileen and Kevin. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Kevin Gallagher, her husband Tom, and her sons, Joseph and Sean. Neans is survived by her sister Aileen Kavanagh and husband Dermot, sons Kevin Murray and wife Susan Shelly, Tomas Murray and wife, Cecilia Murray, and Brendan Murray. Her daughters Maura Murray and husband Didier Moity, Nuala South and husband Clint South, Sheila Murray and husband Mike Bresson, and Una Lindsey and husband Ethan Lindsey. She is also survived by grandchildren, Neans Denson, Eileen Mitchell, Erin Murray, Laura Moity, Julien Moity, Steven Moity, Sara Rincon, Erik Murray, Aaron South, Michael South, Ana Maria Murray, Maeve Lindsey, Sean Lindsey, Sean Bresson, and Declan Bresson. She leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews. Neans is also survived by her in-laws, Chris and Mary Murray, Joe and Patsy Murray, Frank and Kathleen Murray, Tish Murray, Vincent and Margaret Murray, Peggy and Dick Lemke, and Nancy and John Newell.

Neans attended an Irish girl's school, St. Louis in Dublin, taught by her beloved Auntie Maura. She was fluent in Irish and would act as translator for friends and family. Neans went on to earn an associate's degree in home economics, diet and nutrition. She worked her first job as a dietician in a Dublin hospital. As a young woman, she was a volunteer in the Irish Red Cross during World War II. She also sang opera, played the violin, and was a competitive diver. At the age of 80, she taught the choir in Saclay, France how to sing the Irish national anthem, in Irish.

Neans went to work at the Gresham Hotel on O'Connell Street in Dublin and that is where she met the young man that changed her life. She and Tommie married in 1949 and then made the bold move to America. They settled in Detroit, Michigan and quickly started their family. Seven babies were born in Michigan, one in Ireland and one in Oklahoma. The growing family moved to Moore, Oklahoma in 1965. She was a stay at home mom until 1974 when she went to work at Quick Test Market Research/Equifax. She became supervisor and loved her job!

Becoming a US citizen in 1956 was a major milestone for Neans. She was very active in politics, serving as an officer in the Moore Democratic Women's Club. As a lifelong democrat, she also worked as a Cleveland County Election Official. She loved to watch all the news shows
and was always very knowledgeable of the political scene. Neans also loved to paint, taking a number of courses at Rose State Community College. She took courses in floral arrangements and made many wreaths and beautiful floral decorations.
Neans was a member of St. Andrews Parish in Moore for 50 years and served as President of the Woman's Club and editor of the Monthly bulletin.
Travel was a favorite pastime of Neans. She visited her family in Ireland and her children, wherever they were, Germany, France, Texas, and other parts of the US. During one of her trips with her sister to England, they were on a plane that was hijacked! Neans' picture with the French Commandos made the front page of the French national newspaper. Neans was full of life and fun. She loved parties and hosted many wonderful parties. She told such great stories and jokes.
But more than anything, Neans loved her family and friends and they loved her. Neans would want us to say "Beannacht Dé" (God Bless).
"Tá ana grá againn duit" We love you very much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ABLE- Able Bodies Leaning to Excel by mailing to: ABLE in Norman PO Box 345 Norman, Oklahoma 73070. Their website is currently not working but they are on Facebook, ABLE Community Based Services is their name and their number is 405-329-3922 if you need to get in contact with them.