Mary Faith DERUSHA

PEPPERELL -- Mary Faith (DeRusha) Gallant, 48, a resident of Pepperell since 1979 and longtime employee at The Sun, died Sunday, Feb. 20, at her home after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was the wife of John A. Gallant, to whom she was married for 26 years.She was born in Lowell, Oct. 23, 1956, daughter of Raymond and Margaret (Birchall) DeRusha of Nashua. She spent her early life in Lowell and graduated from St. Joseph High School. Mrs. Gallant had been employed at the The Sun in the Advertising Department for 30 years. She operated The Health Corner and worked as a karate instructor at the Gargas karate Academy and Fitness Center in Pepperell, where she held a bachelor's degree in natural health and a black belt in Karate. She was an herbalist member of the American Council on Exercise, and a certified trainer and lifestyle/weight management consultant. Mrs. Gallant loved life and lived it to the fullest. She enjoyed running, biking, hiking, skiing and picnicking in the outdoors. She had coached the Pepperell Youth Soccer Program for many years. She was also a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Pepperell.Besides her parents and husband, her survivors include two daughters, Amanda F. Gallant of New York City and Elizabeth M. Gallant of Pepperell; six sisters and two brothers, Raymond DeRusha of Nashua, Margaret Gerace of Londonderry, N.H., Marjorie DeRusha of Texas, Marion DeRusha of Beverly, Harold DeRusha of Nashua, Martha DeRusha of Goffstown, N.H., Marie DeRusha of Nashua and Marilyn Massey of New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews. Published in the Lowell Sun on 2/22/2005.