Alice P. Ginter Kellaher

Allie P. Ginter Kellaher (Allie) escaped her nagging children to enter eternal life on 7/19/21. She was 81 years young and her spirit remains in her 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous relatives.

Allie was the first daughter born after 5 sons to her devout Irish Catholic parents, Alice and William J. Kellaher. Three more children arrived after her to complete their family. Having older brothers, she grew up as a tomboy out to prove that she could do anything they could. She was educated in Catholic schools and faith, responsibility to self, family and others were reinforced at home. The nuns must have been pretty good with a ruler as Allie rarely missed Sunday mass throughout her life. She ensured that her children were raised in the faith and would respond "God gives you 7 days a week, the least you can give Him is 1 hour a week" when we fought her on going to mass.

Allie served as a lecturer, served in the Homeless ministry at her church and supported causes for the poor and Veteran's. In addition, she spent a few years as a volunteer Anne Arundel County Policewoman.

Allie kick started her career in the civil service at the age of 19 working for the Government Printing Office. She married and started a family within a few years and continued to work part time at night.  When her military husband was transferred to Germany, Allie packed up the household single handedly and flew 6 children aged 18 months to 12 years across the Atlantic.  She navigated living in a non-English speaking town one hour away from the base without the assist of her husband as they did not have a car or family base housing for 4 months. In times of adversity or challenge, Allie sucked it up and took care of business.

We grew up with a Supermom. She successfully juggled raising us while working, volunteering and pursuing a degree in Criminology. Mom attended numerous sporting events and was our greatest cheerleader.  She had eyes in the back of her head, never let us get away with anything and reacted like a ninja whenever there was an emergency. She was 8 months pregnant when she heard a neighbor's scream and tore down the second-floor staircase to save a child who had rolled his head up in a car window. Though not a nurse, she somehow always knew how to handle any medical emergency we would throw at her and kept a surplus of First Aid supplies. She could not turn off being protective. Even at the age of 80, Mom would often say "Let me do that, you are going to hurt yourself" whether it was moving furniture, climbing a ladder or pressure washing the house. 

Allie's favorite time of year was Christmas. She thrived in the role of Santa and QVC and HSN thrived along with her. Her face would light up as she saw the smiles from the gifts she had collected all year long. The only gift she would ever let on that she wanted was a Mass card. 

She loved travelling, entertaining family, Finnigan (her shepherd), Ireland, reading, any joke and Murder She wrote or Carol Burnett re-runs.

She was impatient and often would say out loud "God grant me the serenity" prayer  to keep her temper in check. Sometimes it worked.

In addition to her devotion to her family, Allie dedicated herself to a 44 yr. career with the Dept. of the Army. She served in the roles of Real Property Specialist, Manager and Officer at the Fort Meade Directorate of Engineers, Walter Reed Medical Center and Arlington National Cemetery. She received numerous awards and commendations including one for exposing a shady property sale which saved the government nearly a million dollars. Her commendation letters best reflect what she was known for during her career: strong work ethic, a people person who most enjoys helping others achieve their goals, meticulous devotion to duty, a generous heart, exceptional organizational skills, self-starter, integrity, never wanting to take a short cut or cheat anyone and an excellent sense of humor. 

After celebrating her "retirement" on an Alaskan cruise with family, Allie continued to work full time for another 5+ years. She retired when she was good and ready at the age of 78 and was presented with the Superior Civilian Service Award for meritorious service.

Not content to relax after retirement, Allie expanded her mothering role with a wily German Shepherd puppy just before her 80^th birthday. "Finnigan" was her baby and the last love of her life despite being the worst behaved. 

To know Allie was to laugh with her and at her. She was blessed with the Irish family wit and used it liberally ….sometimes more than we wanted…you know…”mom jokes”.  “Why did the farmer give the pony a glass of water?  Because he was a little horse”.  She was known for dancing with the turkey on Thanksgiving above the sink after thoroughly washing him to remove germs. She would “talk turkey” and tell him “be a good fellow and get into the pan”. She could find humor in anything and often used her silliness to diffuse an argument or to just bring a smile. Her humor went with her everywhere, no one was safe from it.  Though she taught us to never talk to a stranger, she never seemed to know one. She would chat up anyone while in line and the encounter always ended in laughter.

Favorite Irish Blessing:

May those who love us, love us.

And those who don’t love us may God turn their hearts.

And if He does not turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles,

So we know them by their limping.

Allie’s persona and life are best summed up by a common theme from relatives, co-workers and friends….

“It wasn’t what she said or did that will be most remembered...It was how she always made you feel special”.

“You never walked away from her without feeling better”.

We are grateful for the 81-year trail of laughter, love, faith, generosity and imparted wisdom mom has left that continues to bless our family. Thank you Mom for a life well lived.

Allie is survived by spouse Charles Ginter, children Will (Marvic) Ginter, Dolly Ginter Hess, Colleen (Don) Menser, Frank (Sugano) Ginter, Chuck (Beverly) Ginter; Grandchildren: Krystal, Megan, Devan, Theresa, Savannah, Alana, Liam, Aidan, Wes, Derek, Tori, Marla and Sean; Great Grandchildren: Kyle, Connor, Jameson, Mackenzie, Joella, Allie, Alice and Holly;

Brothers Steve Kellaher, Patrick (Deb) Kellaher; Sisters Marie Taccino and Eileen Tate (Mike Koch); Joanne Kellaher, Helen Kellaher.  Too numerous to list but held closely in her heart are many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is reunited with her son Brian Love,  parents Alice and William Kellaher, brothers Gene, William and Frank Kellaher and William Hess.

Services will be held on June 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, 16501 Annapolis rd  Bowie, MD

An RSVP is requested to attend the Celebration of Life post services.

Please email RSVP to [email protected].

*Anyone in black will not be granted admission to the hall as Allie is alive and dancing in the arms of Jesus and the Saints, having upgraded from the turkey.

Allie was a devoted patron of the Little Sisters of the Poor of Baltimore, an organization who houses and serves the elderly poor. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made at 

 https://www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org/donate/