Maureen Margaret Luhm, 73, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 14, 2026, with her children by her side.

Born in New York to Dennis and Margaret Gallagher, Maureen was the youngest of four children. She grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, and her family also had strong ties to Newfoundland, Canada, where she spent time visiting relatives during her childhood. As a young girl, Maureen loved horses and enjoyed riding and caring for them.

After graduating from Duluth Central High School, Maureen began what would become a lifelong career working with animals. She built several thriving small dog grooming businesses and also bred and showed Dandie Dinmont Terriers. She adored her customers and their dogs, taking great pride in the work she did.

Maureen regularly reminded others that “dog” is “God” spelled backwards. She truly believed dogs were among God’s greatest gifts to human beings—a beautiful sentiment that captured both her affection for animals and her deep spiritual side.

Later in life, she moved to the Palm Springs area of California, where she spent 15 happy years enjoying the sunshine, mountains, and friendships she made there. Maureen made friends wherever she went. She was social, easy to talk to, and had a playful sense of humor that brought joy to everyone around her.

Maureen loved her family and was tremendously proud of her sons, Cory and Dana. After her first grandchild was born, Maureen moved across the country to Raleigh, North Carolina to be closer to her family and watch her grandchildren grow.

Maureen shared an especially close bond with her mother, Margaret, whom she considered her best friend. Losing her mother to Lou Gehrig’s disease was a loss she carried with her throughout her life. Her family takes comfort in knowing that after many years apart, mother and daughter are finally reunited.

Maureen is survived by her sons, Cory (Janet) Larsen and Dana Larsen; her grandchildren, Jack and Jared; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis and Margaret Gallagher, and her siblings, Dennis Gallagher Jr., Elaine Anderson, and Peter Gallagher.

Maureen will be deeply missed and remembered as a hardworking woman, loyal friend, loving mother and grandmother, and someone who found immense joy in the company of animals.