Nurse who treated Aurora victims drowns in Iowa

Updated at 1:22 p.m. ET

(CBS News) DENVER - The family of a nurse who cared for victims in July's mass shooting at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater is mourning her loss, CBS Denver station KCNC-TV reports.

Jennifer Gallagher, 46, died while on a vacation in the northwestern part of Iowa. Her husband said she drowned while swimming with friends in Lake Okoboji.

Gallagher cared for some of the most critically injured patients after the mass shooting in the neurosurgical intensive care unit at University of Colorado Hospital. She was on duty in the ICU the day after the shooting.

"She did bring home a lot of the tragedy and talked about it," said Greg Pinson, her husband.

Pinson said his wife was particularly touched by one patient's story. Caleb Medley was shot in the eye by the gunman and has been in critical condition ever since. His wife -- who was also in the theater during the July 20 shooting -- was due to give birth a few days later. She decided to have the baby at University of Colorado Hospital to be close to Medley. The baby, Hugo, was born July 24.

"She was very affected by that, the fact that his life was so dramatically altered and a newborn baby arriving almost at the exact same time," Pinson said.

Special Section: Colorado Movie Theater Massacre
Ground zero Bible brought to Aurora memorial
Holmes officially evicted from Aurora home

Gallagher was also there when President Obama came to the hospital to comfort families and thank the staff July 22.

"I think that was very special to her to be there when he was there, to get to meet him, you know, she was very proud of that," Pinson said.

Pinson and Gallagher got married seven years ago and have a 5-year-old son. Pinson said she loved being a nurse.

"She had a great capacity for empathy and a great capacity to make the patients and family members feel better," he said.

Pinson said it is his wife's smile he wants people to remember most.

"You know, everywhere she went she left people smiling and laughing, be it at work or home, or wherever she was," he said.

Gallagher was involved in Denver's Irish community and played on a ladies football team called the Denver Gaels. On the team website she is remembered as someone who always put others above herself.

23 Photos

The Aurora shooting victims

[fantod-2009]

This was no accident. In other articles, the husband claims she was a weak swimmer, but she goes out in a boat on the lake at night and swims alone? The husband is said to have been sleeping while all this is happening. She isn't reported missing until the next day. Her body is found by "a family member" under the dock. The husband is quoted as saying, "I suppose she just wasn't able to stay afloat." What kind of statement is that? It doesn't add up. Someone close to her (i.e. husband, family member) is responsible for this.

Suicide or homicide. Not an accident.

[nohater]

this news story fails to provide details on how the woman drowned. was she drunk, on drugs, got cramps, drowned at night, drowned alone or among friends in the lake with her, did she cry for help. this is really a bad news report.

[andie52]

where did you read about the drugs etc? what I found online does make me wonder-

"Greg explained that he and their son Jack were sleeping when Jennifer decided to take a boat out on the lake.

"She wasn't a very strong swimmer and I suppose she just wasn't able to stay afloat. The hardest thing is I may never know what really happened to Jenny," he said.

Gallagher's death remains under investigation by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office."

[ralphing]

Drinking and swimming I'm guessing?

I will never feel bad about anyone dying from mixing drinking with bad decisions like swimming or driving.

I have a drink or two, but not to excess where my my judgement is affected or to the point of being inebriated. All I hear from drinkers is how much fun they had at an event or party, but they say they don't remember any of it because they were too drunk. Wait? What?

[deliapost]

"Drinking and swimming I'm guessing?" Maybe you should've said that you know if was drinking and swimming since you go on to judge this poor woman to the hilt based on your guess that she was drinking. One thing I don't have to guess at is that you are a complete insensitive, presumptuous jerk! Save your "I don't drink to excess" bs for a forum called "I'm perfect and like to disrespect the dead since they aren't perfect like me"
Your name tag is correct - you make me want to ralph.

Condolences to the family of a woman that helped many people through their darkest hours. RIP

[honestabe8]

good for you, ralphing....save your compassion for those who deserve it! be a hard hearted pr1ck to those you deem had it coming.

[Bojax39]

Sympathies to the family BUT why is this considered national news?

[valopinion]

foolkiller....the article is just reporting on the irony of tragedy and how it can be linked in many ways, that's all. IT IS tragic that she who helped people for a living had to die because no one was there to help her when she needed it. You sound like someone who does not have the ability to empathize. Too bad, it would make you a better human.

[Bojax39]

And not being a smug, self righteous jerk might help you be one as well.

[sepa2]

and don't others like farmers and minors help others for a living?

[Verascity]

Deepest sympathy to Gallagher's family and friends.

[bedfordvirginia]

husbands comments are very lame. So he goes to bed alone while his wife and a "friend" take a boat out at night, she's not a good swimmer I guess I'll go to bed and see if she can stay afloat. Someone will find her tomorrow when she floats to the edge of the lake. Hope the IA cops are better than the ones in the Palos Verdes drowning.

[FoolKiller]

"A nurse who treated victims of the Aurora theater shooting in Colorado has drowned while on a family vacation in Iowa." Yes. AND???