Lissa Russell Gallagher

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

Obituary

Lissa Gallagher, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dear friend, passed away on March 3, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Lissa grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, in a home overlooking Salem Harbor, alongside her parents, Donald and Rebecca, her sister Dawn, and her grandparents, Chandler and Dorothy Foster. Her childhood was shaped by idyllic summers at their family cottage on Sunset Lake in Ashburnham, where lifelong memories were made with family and friends. Among them were the Macleans, longtime family friends, and Lissa’s close friend Cynthia “Cid” Maclean, whose enduring friendship remained a constant throughout her life. Together, Lissa, Dawn, and Cid spent their days boating, swimming, gathering for picnics with friends, and laughing endlessly. Simple, joyful moments that would stay with her forever.

After graduating from Salem High School in 1973, Lissa attended the University of Vermont and Colorado State University before earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Lyndon State College. While living in Vermont, she met her first husband, Tom Cowing. They married in her mother’s backyard in Putney, Vermont before moving to Colorado in 1980. They welcomed their son, Nathan, in 1983 and their daughter, Emily, in 1985.

While living in Boulder, Lissa pursued her passion for helping others by earning a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Colorado, and went on to build a meaningful career at the University of Colorado Denver. Starting as a Career Counselor and later serving as Director of Career Services, she was known for her leadership, compassion, and dedication to helping students succeed. She played a key role in developing the Experiential Learning Center, expanding internship and career opportunities for countless students.

It was at CU Denver that Lissa met the love of her life, Mark Gallagher. Though they grew up just a mile apart in Massachusetts, Lissa in Salem and Mark in Marblehead, their paths did not cross until decades later, while working on the same campus in Denver. They married in 1993 and shared a life rich in music, travel, gardening, and adventure.

Lissa had a lifelong love of the water and felt most at peace near the ocean. She and Mark honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, unknowingly beginning a tradition that would span more than 30 years. After retiring in 2010 and 2011, they spent every November there, something Lissa looked forward to all year. Together, they also explored Europe, enjoying family trips to destinations like Paris, Amsterdam, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, and Sorrento. She loved to stroll along the lively pedestrian streets, taking in the beauty and culture of each place they visited. Their travels also took them throughout the Caribbean, where she was happiest on a beach.

While Lissa loved to travel, nothing brought her more joy than family. She was a devoted mother and a proud, loving grandmother. She delighted in the moments she shared with her grandsons, and even as the disease progressed, her warmth and playful spirit continued to shine through. Lissa loved to laugh and had a way of making life feel lighter and more beautiful in her presence.

Lissa is survived by her devoted husband, Mark Gallagher; her son, Nathan Cowing; her daughter, Emily Roussel; her son-in-law, Brian Roussel; and her beloved grandsons, Grayson and Bennett Roussel. She is also survived by her sister, Dawn Sullivan; her nieces, Rebecca Fetty and Katherine Blais; and nephew, Stephen Blais, along with their families. She leaves behind her brothers-in-law, Paul Gallagher and Brian Gallagher (Karen), as well as her sister-in-law, Cairann Gallagher (Mark Matthews), and their families.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rebecca Lyons; stepfather, Bill Lyons; and father, Donald Russell.

Lissa will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, her kindness, her dedication to others, and her deep love for life. She was so loved and will be profoundly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.

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