Janelle Lynn Gallaher, 73, of Brandon, Florida, passed away on Monday, October 5th, 2020, in her home with her family.
Janelle was born in Defiance, Ohio, to William Paul Waxler and Martha Mae Archer Waxler on September 25, 1947.  She spent her childhood in the Midwest, and had wonderful memories of her family's farm in Illinois. She met her sweetheart of 55 years, Richard Franklin Gallaher, in 4th grade, but they didn't connect until they were Seniors at Woodruff High School in Peoria, Illinois. They married on September 3, 1967, when Richard returned from US Army Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant. Aside from the 12 months they were apart due to Richard's service in Viet Nam, the two were inseparable for 53 years. A military couple, they travelled extensively, living overseas and in 9 states, raising 2 children, and making many lifelong friendships along the way. A truly excellent homemaker and devoted mother, Janelle delighted in caring for her family and so put off a career until her girls were old enough to drive themselves around. In her second act, she worked for a time in banking and then, perhaps inspired by her father's career, was drawn to retail business; she worked for Neiman Marcus in Tysons Corner, Virginia, until retiring to Brandon in 2008. Although she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease quite young, in retirement Janelle was able to spend time with many old friends and new ones, bowling, quilting, shopping, and entertaining.
Janelle is preceded in death by her mother and father.
Janelle is survived by her loving husband, Richard; her daughters Melissa Janelle Gallaher-Smith of Stamford, Connecticut, and Colleen Elizabeth Gallaher Grams of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and their husbands David Smith and Eric Grams; her grandchildren Zoe Bowen Smith, Mathilde Clare Smith, Cooper William Grams, and Carly Susan Grams; and her sister-in-law and dearest friend, Pat Gallaher Casazza. The family will celebrate her life, as she requested, on her favorite beach at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, later this year.

Janelle's family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to doctors at The University of Florida Health Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, who supported her as she lived with Parkinson's Disease. In lieu of flowers, Janelle preferred that any memorials support scientific research that will lead to a cure for Parkinson's; donations in her memory can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation at michaeljfox.org