VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Tara Welch Gallagher was just 39 years old. Her life was cut short Friday; she was one of 12 people murdered at the Municipal Center Complex in Virginia Beach, where she worked as an engineer for six years.

Outside Building 2, she was a wife, mother and, according to Andrea Dalla Villa McMurran, the best friend a girl could have.

The two forged their friendship in kindergarten. “We were just like glue for all of elementary school,” McMurran said.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Gallagher never traveled far from home as she climbed the ladder to professional and personal success.

“She took her job very seriously. Whether it was engineer or maid of honor she took her job very seriously.”  

Andrea refuses to think about the man who took Tara from her or how she died.  For now, she chooses to focus on the life they shared.

From Portsmouth Catholic Elementary they went on to different high schools. Tara graduated from Woodrow Wilson and then attended Old Dominion University where she got her masters in Engineering.

Andrea told WAVY.com that Tara was sunshine and her baby Patrick was her light.  “I will make sure he knows what his mother was like… Um, she just had this calm demeanor about her that was just unlike anything I can really explain. She was just calm and kind and sweet all the time.”

Her son is not quite two years old. He has his mother’s blue eyes, and facial expressions.

“She adored that baby boy more than anything and her husband as well.”

Tara married Patrick seven years ago.  They made a home in Virginia Beach near both of their families.

Family meant everything to Tara, and her family wants people to know how she shined, but in their darkest hour declined to speak.

Andrea spoke for them and she held it together, even while sharing her final text with Tara, on Mother’s Day.

The best friends wished each other well and said said I love you – one last time.

“I’m glad that was the last thing we said because I did love her, do love her and always will,” McMurran said.

There is a GoFundMe page set up. Andrea says it will mostly be used as a college fund for baby Patrick.