Hersey, Maine - Jeanette Avis Bates Gallagher, 85, of Hersey, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026. She was born on July 9, 1940, in Island Falls, Maine, to Asa and Rosella (White) Bates.

On December 31, 1960, Jeanette married her soulmate, Raymond Gallagher. Together they made their home in Hersey, where they built a loving family and raised their four children, Raye and Renae Marie, Kathy Leigh, and Chris Rick. Jeanette was a people-person with a keen mind for numbers. With that rare combination of warmth and skill, she built lifelong relationships. For Jeanette, work was always a way to enrich the lives of her family and community. She held a number of positions at Katahdin Trust Company, ultimately retiring as assistant treasurer and branch manager. She also gave generously of her time through community involvement, including serving as secretary for Rockabema Snow Ranger snowmobile club and fundraising with winter cookouts, serving as clerk for the Town of Hersey, balancing checkbooks for her sister and best friend, Ada, and managing monthly Gallagher Auto Parts billing for her son, Chris. A natural tomboy of her era, Jeanette brought confidence, strength, and know-how to everything she did. She was the driving force behind the Ray-and-Jeanette team, somehow balancing the physical demands of helping Ray with his many jack-of-all-trades projects, enjoying nearly every outdoor sport Maine has to offer, keeping the books, while simultaneously raising a family. Jeanette was selfless in her love for her family and for every child or pet who came into her sphere. She always seemed to know what the children were up to and never missed an opportunity to teach lessons about honesty, integrity, and kindness, while also embracing the joy and freedom of childhood. Those fortunate enough to be under her watchful eye at Pleasant Lake will remember the bedtime tradition of snuggling around the fire with toasted marshmallows, and Jeanette's telling of the Legend of the Hairy Man. Jeanette will be remembered for the lifelong relationships she forged with family, friends, and neighbors, and for the steady love, generosity, and wisdom she shared throughout her life.

Thank you to the crew at Katahdin Health Care in Millinocket for their kindness, compassion, respect, attentiveness and humor. We are eternally grateful for the way you create a home where residents and staff become part of the family.

Jeanette was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Raymond Gallagher; and by her beloved son, Chris Gallagher. She is survived by her daughter, Raye Porter, and her husband, David Porter; her daughter, Renae Alexandre; her daughter, Kathy Grant and her husband, Greg Grant; her grandson, Travis Gallagher; her stepgrandchildren, David Porter, Shelly Caron, and Stephanie Porter; as well as her beloved great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and extended family members.

Please join us at the Methodist church on Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m. in Patten, Maine, for the opportunity to honor and celebrate Jeanette's life. We can share stories and gather around the table where everyone is welcome and there is ALWAYS enough room for one more plate. To share memories and condolences online, visit bowersfuneral.com.