Dee Gallo

Dolores Mary Beltran

"Nonnie"

Born on July 31, 1940 in Rochester, NY

to Mary (Krenzer) & Roberto Beltran

On March 30, 2015, Heard Jesus say . . .

"Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)

Celebration Service to be held on April 18, 2015

East Williamson Free Methodist Church

4984 Ridge Road, Williamson, NY  14589

11:00 AM

Dolores (Dee) is survived by her husband of 55 years, Salvatore (Sam) Gallo, and four children – Jocelyn (Larry) Zimmerman, Robin (Christopher) Fedison, Frank (Debbie) Gallo, and Sandra (Ryan) Shank.

She loved her grandchildren deeply – Roderick Zimmerman, Larry Zimmerman, Kristi (Christopher) Steinruck, Amy Gallo, Josiah Zimmerman, Bailey Fedison, Ryan Shank, Jordan Shank, and Nathan Gallo.  She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the beginning of the fourth generation to come.

She is also survived by her siblings – Robert Beltran, Ricardo Beltran, Mary K Browder, Margaret Militello, Frank Beltran (deceased), Julia James, and Angela Fuller

And extended family & friends

Dee's life is best described by her own story –

MY JOY STORY

By Dee Gallo

(Christmas 2010)

For a lot of years, Sam and I thought about taking a trip to Italy.  We would dream out loud, "Wouldn't it be nice to see this, go there, do that?"  But it was all just talk for a long time.  Until … friends of ours told us that they wanted to go, too.  Thus began a more earnest discussion, and eventually, the four of us decided that we really wanted to do it.  Much research was done about where we would go, what we wanted to see and do, and when we would go.  The day came when, after all the studying, research and discussion with our friends, we decided that it was time to book the trip.  After the time was set, and the tickets were secured, the only thing left for us to do, besides wait, was to get ready to go!  The trip itself wasn't to happen immediately.  But the exhilaration and anticipation I felt was wonderful!

Now, something has happened that has reminded me of those same emotions but for a very different reason.

For the past twenty months, I have struggled with some difficult and bewildering symptoms which stymied the doctors for a very long while.  Not that they didn't try to discover what the problem was.  Over the last year and a half and more, I have had a very complete battery of tests, x-rays, MRIs, and so on, more than once.  I have seen many doctors, who have examined my records, and me.  Then, on December 9th, after again, a full day of tests, the doctors came back and told Sam and me that they concurred that their diagnosis was ALS (Lou Gehrigs's Disease).  It is not curable, and will result in my experiencing less and less control over my voluntary muscles (everything but heart and digestive system).

But now, for the JOY part!  Try to follow my analogy of the Italy trip we took four years ago.

I went to church my whole life, but for the first thirty years or so, it was mostly out of habit and duty.  Except, I do remember that as an eight year old, I wanted desperately for God to talk to me, and I wanted to devote my life to serving Him.  As a child, I never heard Him speak audibly to me.  As years passed, I stopped trying to hear His voice.

In my mid-thirties, the Holy Spirit began to draw me.  The child-like desire I'd had before was awakened again in me.  I loved spending time with My Lord, and learning so much about Him!  (Are you following my analogy so far?)  I asked Jesus to forgive me for hurting Him, and to be my Lord and my Savior.  I have never looked back.

After sixty-nine years of being as healthy as a horse, and able to do everything required of me, and all the things I wanted to do, mysterious symptoms began to appear.  And then, came the diagnosis.

What do most people do when faced with such news?  I don't know, I can only guess.  I think some would be in denial.  Some would be angry.  Some might cry.

But I was filled with a sense of wonderment AND JOY!  JESUS has booked my trip, paid for my ticket, and though I don't know the date yet, or what else I'll have to do before I go, I'M GOING HOME!

Memorials in memory of Dee may be directed to the ALS Association, Rochester, NY, Attn: Walk to Defeat ALS, Team "Defeat for Dee", 890 7th North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.  Online condolences may be left at www.murphyfuneralservices.com .