Selma Jane Gallagher Harden LePage

Posted on January 21, 2021

Selma Jane Gallagher Harden LePage, 82, arrived in her heavenly home on Jan. 11, 2021, after a brief illness. Her fierce devotion to her family and firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Selma was born on July 7, 1938, to the late Edward and Loretta (Schunk) Gallagher, wholesale florists who later founded North Gratiot Rose Gardens, in Mt. Clemens, Mich.

She missed being born on the 4th of July, but was a flaming redhead and full of life. 

She was a born-again Christian and trusted God to guide her throughout her life from an early age. It was in Michigan that she met and married her best friend, Emory “Frank” Harden, in 1957, who was stationed at Oscoda Air Force Base.

Together they raised five children, starting in Michigan and later moving to New Smyrna Beach.

They were blessed with a large extended family and often went on trips to gather with family in Lake City and Perry.

Throughout her life, Selma worked outside the home, but no matter how busy she was, she always made time for her family.

After Frank’s sudden passing in 1987, she married Wilfred LePage in 1998, whom she had known as a teenager. They shared 15 of their twilight years together, making their home in Monroe, Mich.

After Will passed away, Selma moved to Perry in 2014 to be near her family there. 

She was an active member at New Home Baptist in Perry where she led a Woman’s Missionary Union group.

She belonged to the Sandy Toes Red Hats, loved to crochet, make blankets for her family and the local nursing home, as well garden, paint ceramics and research genealogy.

She loved to serve the Lord and volunteered both at the Doctor’s Memorial Hospital gift shop and at local schools. She loved sewing and had to be discouraged from buying more fabric! 

She had many dear friends, but Carolyn Bell and Vickie Summers both held a very special place in her heart.

Selma was always ready for an adventure; her favorite was going on the road to visit her large family.  If no one else could go with her, she’d get in her RV and hit the road herself!

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a special delight to her and her house covered in pictures bore testimony to that.

Her faithful companion was her little dog Maggie, who was content to keep her company and watch TV from her lap.

She loved to laugh and enjoy life. She didn’t waste the days her precious heavenly Father gave her, but lived each day to the fullest. 

Selma is survived by: her brother, Edward Gallagher, Macomb Township, Mich.; brother-in-law,  J. David (Carol) Harden, Perry; daughters, Margaret (Rick) Haworth, Galveston, Ind., and Dawn (Warren) Ponce, Newnan, Ga.; sons, Eugene (Tina) Harden, David Y. (Jeanne) Harden, and Jerry (Lisa) Harden, all of Perry; numerous grandchildren,  great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to COVID concerns, a graveside service was on Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. at Edgewater Cemetery (located just south of New Smyrna Beach) with the Rev. David Sparkey officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missions program at New Home Baptist of Perry.

Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home of New Smyrna Beach was in charge of all arrangements.