Obituary for Linda Gallander
Margaret A. (Linda) Gallander, 80 of Batson passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at her home. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.Linda was born June 9, 1932 in LaPiedad, Mexico to Francisco and Carmen Guillen Alavardo. She was the youngest of thirteen children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Husband of 46 years, Fred Ellis Gallander and twelve brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Sour Lake, TX under the direction of Sterling Funeral Home in Dayton. Interment will follow in Guedry Cemetery in Batson, TX. A gathering of Linda’s family and friends will be from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 9:00 P.M. on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Sour Lake, Texas.
Mrs. Gallander is survived by her children Carmen DeMarr and husband, Ric of New Orleans, LA, Fred Ellis Gallander Jr. and wife, Rebecca of Park City, UT, Alfred Gallander and wife, Judy of Batson, David Stewart Gallander and wife Mary of Liberty Hill, TX, John Gallander and wife, Acel of Porter, TX, Frank Gallander and wife, Linda of Kingwood, TX, Ernest Gallander of College Station, TX.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Amy Qualls and husband, Colonel Roy Qualls, USAF, Brian Gallander and wife, Terri, John Gallander and wife, Sarah, Olivia Pendleton and husband, Will, Michelle Allen and husband, John, David Anthony Gallander and wife, Carmen, Joshua Gallander and wife Kaitlyn, Lauren Gallander, Cassandra Baxter and husband, David, David Stewart Gallander, Zachary Gallander, Samuel Gallander, Kristen Gallander, Catherine DeMarr, Mary Gallander, Bridget Gallander, Ethan Gallander, Rachel Gallander and Sterling Gallander; Great-Grandchildren Jordan and Gabrielle Qualls, Mallory, Emily and Eli Gallander, Seth, Eva and Kiera Gallander, Noah, Caleb, Ian, Eli and Makaela Allen, Isabella and Maddox Baxter.
From Mimi’s funeral cards:
Picture of Mimi at 16, one of my favorites. Her brothers used to call her “linda” meaning “pretty” in Spanish, My Papaw thought it was what she went by and introduced her to everyone in the states as Linda Gallander.
The picture in the middle is from two summers ago and my Uncle Ernest’s 50th birthday party. It is the closest picture we have of all the Gallanders in one place. The other group picture is Mimi and her babies after my Papaw’s funeral.
Even though funerals are sad, they can be happy as you get to see family that you don’t always see. My extended family lives in Utah, Georgia, California, Washington State, and of course parts of Texas. I even have a cousin who is living in South Sudan right now. That doesn’t even include my dad and uncle that work overseas. It was great seeing them all as we celebrated the life of our dear sweet Mimi.My brother, Zach got the job of putting a memorial video together. He did it a lot faster than I did! He put my video and a video my brother David did years ago; then he added pictures that people emailed him on such short notice. He was modest about it, but he did a great job. My sisters and I lead the Rosary at the wake. I had been fine since I heard of Mimi’s passing. I stayed strong while others were crying, but during the rosary I started to break. I felt Mimi with me, just like all those years before on the couch. After accidentally skipping over a few prayers at the end I broke down once it was over. I cried and wanted to hear her say “my Shelly” one more time. I dried the tears hugging family and remembering what a strong example Mimi had been for us.
After the funeral mass and the burial, we headed over to Mimi’s house to eat and enjoy the company of family. Again my kids proved to be pretty awesome. I think kids just have a way of knowing when they really need to be there to provide a laugh and a hug. My cousin in law Sarah took pictures that I will have to get with her to get copies of. Until then we have a few. John took pictures of the boys and uncle Ethan on Mimi’s front porch. Then my cousin Catherine got Eli saying “You’re killing me smalls.”
John was also awesome during all of this. He let me have my time and took over the kids for the most part. He was there when I needed someone, but he also knows me well enough to know when I needed to be alone. I’m blessed to have him. After leaving Mimi’s house and heading home, I went on an emotional roller-coaster for a few days. I guess it was hard coming home and letting the reality of it all set in. I know I will have some bad days to come, but I know Mimi is watching over me and the family.
These posts have been hard for me to write. I’ve stayed away from posting anything because I didn’t want to get to these. I guess in a way it was like another reminder of the reality. Yet, death is a part of the reality of life. You just have to hold onto the memories and have faith that your loved one is in Heaven looking down.
In loving memory of my Mimi…
