We first met in 1977 at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, IL. Anne was a student nurse and receptionist and Mike was a Security Guard. We were part of a group of friends who enjoyed Irish music and beer! Mike had met his wife Gerry at ISU in 1975. They were married in 1979, raised two fine sons. Anne was at Mike and Gerry’s wedding and son Chris’ baptism. Mike and Gerry had been at parties at Anne’s , and met her parents Maura and Barney. Mike and Gerry had a beautiful 40 years together until her passing from cancer in February 2019. We kept in touch through the years through our mutual friend Deb Kennedy, Anne’s dear friend and roommate in nursing school and her husband Frank, who was an Oak Park Policeman along with Mike. At Gerry’s funeral, Deb told Mike about Anne’s upcoming retirement, inviting Mike to the party on May 4th. So on May 4th, Mike came to the party and told Anne he didn’t know what her situation was but hoped that we could rekindle our friendship and that he owed her a retirement dinner. Anne was standing in front of Mike with her hands on his hips and said “I don’t have a situation Mike. I have always loved you.“ Mike said he was thunderstruck and spent the rest of the party listening to a recounting of the last 40 years of her life. Mike’s family had watched him care for Gerry during the four years of her illness. Both of Mike’s sons Kevin and Chris and their families have embraced Anne as the person who has rescued their father from his grief. Prior to her passing, Gerry told Mike not to be alone, giving him permission to love again. Anne is extremely grateful to Gerry for that permission, for helping him to become the man who he has become, for the gift of her beautiful sons, their wives and grandchildren- for sharing all those blessings with Anne. We are so in love. We are so very happy. We are so very grateful. Come and celebrate with us!

We are still hoping that we can have the wedding we desire and the chance to celebrate with all of you! Just 6 days away now! The future is certain- that we love each other, that we will get married Oct. 17, 2020, that we will ask all of you to support us in our married life. We can have up to 100 people at Ascension Church! We will be wearing masks and sanitizing and it will be a beautiful celebration. Please let us know if you will be at the church. We will also be LIVE STREAMING our mass for our loved ones across the miles, in real time and also on a "you tube" channel for one month! Go to YouTube and Try this link : Gallagher Keenan Wedding. Our new reception location is at Normandy Banquets, 310 W. Butterfield Rd. in Elmhurst IL, beginning at 5pm, for 50 guests. Please know that we love you and are so grateful that you are in our lives. Wishing you health and continued blessings, Anne and Mike