Jennifer Kristen “Kristy” Gallahue passed away while in inpatient hospice at Penn State Hampden Medical Center on August 13th, 2026 after an extended battle with cancer she waged with the grace, courage, and love that she brought to all of life’s trials. She passed in peace and comfort, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Kristy was the fourth of five daughters born to Glenda and COL (Ret) Bob Jones in Columbus, GA. As an Army brat, she grew up moving around to military bases in the States and Germany with her four sisters Kim, Kelly, Kaye, and Kara. She graduated from Hardaway High School in 1985 and attended Columbus College before meeting Kimo in Ft. Benning, GA in 1993 and marrying him on December 17th, 1994.

As a woman of many talents and an ever-welcoming spirit, Kristy held many jobs throughout her life—a delightful and dutiful nanny, waitress, lifeguard, receptionist, and support specialist. She was a valued member of many military spouse and family organizations, contributing to or leading Family Support/Readiness groups in Vicenza, IT; Ft. Polk, LA; Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Ft. Bragg, NC; Ft. Drum, NY; Ft. Stewart, GA; and Carlisle Barracks, PA. She passed all that she knew and learned on to the next generation of Army families. Significantly, she led a 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry’s Family Readiness Group and advised 4th IBCT, 3 ID’s FRGs through two arduous deployments to Afghanistan, providing caring and engaged leadership to so many dependent families shouldering the burdens of defending our nation.

Kristy was unfailingly generous with her support to everyone in her life, all the while being the true heart and soul of her own family. As a wife and mother, she made eight moves to seven different states and Kimo’s four combat tours, not merely bearable, but filled with love, joy, and adventure. Whether she drove 18 hours straight to get her daughter back to college on time for student check-in, organized the best birthday, graduation, retirement, and just-for-fun gatherings, or sent thoughtful care packages and cards, Kristy was and continues to be a source of unlimited warmth and stability for her family. She loved visiting the clear blue waters and sugar sand beaches of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; watching videos of Bernese Mountain Dogs - almost as much as she loved her own dogs, Trooper, Koda, and Lavender; beating everyone on trivia night when the questions were about the music she grew up listening to on records in her big sister’s room; good food, good wine, and being with the ones she loved—of which there were so very many.

She is survived by her beloved husband COL (Ret) Kimo Gallahue, her three loving daughters Georgia Mae, Carter Belle, and Avery Rose, her sisters Kim Harrison (Bob), Kelly Curry (John), Kaye Sargent (Greg), and Kara Sinkule (Branch), so many nieces and nephews, and her countless friends—all of whom she loved dearly.

A memorial Mass will be held at the Carlisle Barracks Chapel on Saturday, the 29th of August at 1pm with a celebration of Kristy’s remarkable life at the Letort View Community Club held shortly after.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society at her page: https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaigns/Kristy-Gallahue-Memorial-Donation, or plant a tree in her honor at the Arbor Day Foundation’s Memorial Tree Planting Program: https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative-trees-for-others?producttype=TIM.