Marie Therese Gallo

Beloved wife and mother, Marie Therese Damrell Gallo, passed away peacefully at her home on May 3, 2021.  Born April 23, 1935, and raised in Modesto, California, Marie was a third generation Californian whose family settled in French Camp in the 1840s.  Marie was the daughter of Honora Mae (Ryan), a homemaker, and Frank C. Damrell Sr., a prominent local attorney and long-time Stanislaus County Superior Court judge.  Marie credited her parents for teaching her the importance of a loving family, devotion to her faith in God, helping others in her community and fostering her passion for the arts.

Her musical studies began at a very young age with her love of the piano. Marie graduated from Modesto High School, class of 1953, and continued her musical studies under Modesto music icon Frank Mancini. She also took a weekly bus to Berkeley to study under renowned classical pianist Bernhard Abramowitsch, and became a talented concert pianist.  Marie attended Holy Names College and graduated from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont (now Notre Dame de Namur University) in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, also earning her teaching credential. She started her career as a teacher at Alamo Elementary School in San Francisco.  Later in life she returned to the classroom and taught fourth grade at St. Stanislaus Elementary School, and is fondly remembered by her many students.  

In 1958, Marie’s heart led her back to Modesto to marry the love of her life, Bob Gallo, where they started a family and ultimately raised eight children. Even as a busy wife and mother, Marie felt a need to contribute, and began her lifelong career in community service. Marie accepted many leadership roles in civic, cultural, educational and religious organizations over the years.  She was a founding board member of Central Catholic High School and was instrumental in developing the annual BASH fundraiser. In addition, she was a founder of the Catholic Social Service Guild which helps seniors in this community, including taking them to doctor visits and caring for them in their homes. Marie was a devoted member of the Daughters of Charity Foundation Board, an organization that funds health, educational and religious ministries. One of her proudest achievements was bringing the cloistered order, Sisters of the Cross, from Mexico to Modesto. She helped establish their first convent in the United States, along with restoring the convent and chapel where the Sisters reside today. Marie established the Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Picnic at the POPS” concert, held annually since 1995 on the E&J Gallo Winery grounds. She was also on the board of and involved with many local arts organizations including the Stanislaus Arts Commission, Central California Art League (now Central California Art Association) and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County (YES Company). For many years, she could be found ringing the Christmas bell for the Salvation Army while also serving on their Board of Directors.  Marie held honorary memberships in the Modesto Rotary Club and the Modesto Auxiliary Club, which raise funds for minority students in Stanislaus County.  She loved hosting the annual Christmas party for the Modesto Antique Club of which she was a member.   

In recognition of her many achievements, Marie was honored with numerous awards including the Liberty Bell Award from the Stanislaus County Bar Association, the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League, “Man of the Year” from the American Legion Post in Modesto, the Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Stanislaus County Commission and the Bishop’s Award from the Diocese of Stockton. Marie was also honored as the recipient of Notre Dame de Namur University’s Community Spirit Award for her lifelong dedication to improving the quality of life for others.

One of Marie’s greatest legacies was fulfilling her dream of building a performing arts center in the Central Valley community. Her vision to bring “the arts for all” and enrich the lives of everyone in the community began over 40 years ago. That vision ultimately became a reality with the ribbon cutting of the Gallo Center of the Arts in 2007.

Marie was a caring and generous person who lived her Catholic faith.  She generously shared her extraordinary talents and roll-up-your sleeves philanthropy. Marie had a wonderful zest for life. She was a woman of style and grace, who dressed impeccably and loved entertaining, especially for family and friends at home. She was proud of her Irish roots and pioneer family. Marie was an avid reader who loved music, the arts, movies, horses and her dogs. Most of all she loved her great big family and her husband Bob.   

Marie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bob; children Julie Vander Wall (David), John Gallo (Teresa), Matthew Gallo (Kathleen), Thomas Gallo (Karyn), Gina Gallo-Boisset (Jean-Charles), Amy Gallo and Mary E. Gallo-Lucisano (Cosantino); her brother The Honorable Frank C. Damrell Jr. (Ludy); and 22 grandchildren Emily Vander Wall, Mark Vander Wall, Robert Gallo, Margaret Gallo, Sarah Gallo, Mia Gallo, Celine Gallo, Isabella Gallo, Augustine Gallo, Maximus Gallo, Matisse Gallo, Gianna Merkel (Zack), Julian Gallo (Taylor), William Gallo, Tessa Gallo, Honore Gallo-Boisset, Grace Gallo-Boisset, Anna Ballatore, Colleen Ballatore, Leonardo Lucisano and Sabrina Lucisano. She is preceded in death by her son Mark Gallo and granddaughter Monica Gallo.

 A Visitation will be held Thursday, May 13th, 3:00PM – 7:00PM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1200 Maze Blvd., in Modesto

Funeral Services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, dona­tions may be made to:

Sisters of the Cross, 1320 Maze Blvd., Modesto, CA 95351
https://www.sistersofthecross.com/

or

Gallo Center of the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto, CA 95354
https://www.galloarts.org/

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.