Kathleen Ann Gallagher, a former Telluride local who helped shape this town, died Oct. 27. She was 60 years old.

Gallagher arrived in this world Aug. 1, 1947, in Madison, Wisc., first born of Dr. Raymond and Marilyn Gallagher. She was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area where her ancestry extended to the discovery of the San Francisco Bay, and the founding of the City of San Francisco. The Gallaghers were in the fruit packing business in the Santa Clara Valley for several generations.

Kathy arrived in Telluride in 1978 with future husband Bill Blake as one of the “new pioneers”. Adventuresome and full of enthusiasm for her new home, Kathy pitched in to help establish some of the enduring institutions and businesses in the area. Paragon Sports, The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, The Telluride Chamber Resort Association, and the Peaks Hotel were all touched by her energy and commitment. For years she was a fixture on main street, and seemed to know almost everyone in town. Fun-loving, a cocktail at the Sheridan Bar or a night out on the town was not the same without her. A constant booster of Telluride and all that it had to offer, Kathy’s heart never left our beautiful valley.

Tiny but tough, Kathy was a supreme homemaker and cook, loved her dogs and cats, had a great eye for art and design, and knew how to push a shovel and stack firewood. She loved the Bluegrass Festival, moonlight walks along the San Miguel River, the first snowstorm, and the breaking of spring.

The past several years Kathy lived in Gardnerville, Nev. (near Carson City and Lake Tahoe) to be near her children and grandchildren.

She will be missed by her daughter Alisa Andrews, son-in-law Warren Andrews, son Michael Blake, daughter-in-law Brenda, grandchildren Barrett and Charles Andrews, sisters Lori, Lynn, and Lisa, brothers Raymond and Gregory, step-mother Maxine, ex-husband Bill, and many friends and acquaintances who were touched by her friendly, perky personality and her remarkable, undeniable spirit.