Geraldine Gahan: A life well lived

Too often we don’t take advantage of the time to get to know truly remarkable people, and Gahan was one of them. She lived a life of giving. To her best friend and husband John, to her family, and so much to her community.

“Auntie Jay made a truly remarkable impact as a tireless and highly effective volunteer,� said her nephew, Lorne Hindle.

Over her lifetime Gahan made things happen in her community of Westmount where she lived with John, a customs broker, in his family’s house on Mount Pleasant Avenue for 48 years. In addition to working for many years she was committed to her family’s tradition of community and charity work. She was involved extensively with the Catholic Women’s League for many years both on its executive and as a member of the parish of Ascension of Our Lord.

She reorganized Father Dowd retirement home, and then as a board member went on to reorganize Montreal Convalescent Hospital Center, now known as the Lindsay Rehabilitation Hospital

As late as 1987 she was still involved in making things happen and worked with the Anglican Archdiocese to co-found Logifem, a residence for homeless women at 2235 St. Jacques Street that today includes apartments for women getting back into life.

Probably her most memorable contribution to the Westmount community was her work in initiating the building of the Manoir Westmount. In 1974 Geraldine and John stated lobbying the Westmount Municipal Association to build a residence for seniors. While the WMA was not able to undertake such a project it did put her in touch with the Rotary Club of Westmount. Gahan provided the vision and Rotary provided the funding and the building was completed in 1979. In recognition she was made an honourary member of the Club and later awarded the Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary’s award for achievement.

In 2005 the Westmount Municipal Association recognized Gahan with it’s highest award, the Derek Walker Volunteer Citizen of the Year.

Gahan’s funeral was held Thursday, Oct. 5 at St. Patrick’s Basilica. Donations can be made in Gahan’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2155 Guy St., suite 1120, Montreal, H3H 2R9.