Born in Los Angeles to Maurice and Marie Gallagher, Jane graduated from USC and worked as an elementary school teacher before raising her two children. In Los Angeles, she loved spending time at the beach, socializing, doing charity work, and guiding her children’s lives as an active, devoted young mom.
After moving with her family to Greenwich in 1993, Jane quickly made many new friends and became a popular hostess. Known for her Cinco de Mayo margarita-themed parties, Jane added fun California culture to Connecticut.
When her children were grown, Jane reinvented herself as a top Greenwich real estate agent, leveraging her impeccable taste, boundless energy, and vast group of friends. She was known for always being candid and direct with her clients, as well as bringing a sense of fun to the process.
Ever the life of the party, Jane is remembered as having a gregarious personality. She brought style and irreverent wit to everything she did. Her indomitable spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.
Jane befriended people from all walks of life. She enjoyed baking cakes for everyone — her garbage men, neighbors, real estate clients, and the nurses who were caring for her friends. She was warm and thoughtful, and always showed up whenever friends and family needed her. She could be found helping others fighting a serious illness, recovering from surgery, packing up a house to move, or experiencing the loss of a loved one.
In 2014, Jane overcame cancer after an arduous course of treatment. Her strong will helped her focus on the future and never doubt that she would prevail. In 2020 when diagnosed again with cancer, she was intent on getting back to her active social life and her real estate business. In Jane’s final weeks, while in hospice care, she courageously traveled to Los Angeles to say goodbye to old friends and favorite places during one final, bittersweet trip. After returning to Greenwich, she celebrated her 75th birthday two months early with an unforgettable luncheon thrown by close friends. Jane even procured a real, twelve-foot-tall Christmas tree to decorate in the middle of June so that she wouldn’t miss her favorite holiday.
Jane’s family will deeply miss her laugh, her joie de vivre, her warmth, grace, candor, as well as her unconditional love.
Jane is survived by husband Craig Gosden of Los Angeles, daughter Whitney Gosden (Jason Hall) of Los Angeles, son Andrew Gosden (Alexandra Field) and adored granddaughter Virginia “Gigi” Gosden of New York City, brother Thomas Gallagher of San Diego, and her beloved live-in housekeeper Zema Huaquisto and Zema’s son William Franco of Greenwich, both of whom she always considered to be family, as well as countless friends on both coasts. She was predeceased by her sisters Judy Gallagher and Mary Ellen Gallagher.
The family wishes to profoundly thank the many friends near and far who showered Jane with food, gifts, flowers and love in her final months. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.