Mildred “Millie” Gallo, a longtime local artist and Los Altos Hills resident, died unexpectedly Sept. 19 while vacationing in Mexico. Mrs. Gallo was 80.

A longtime member of the Los Altos Art Club, Mrs. Gallo also was active in the West Bay Iris Society and in civic affairs in Los Altos Hills.

A passionate artist, Mrs. Gallo’s landscape paintings have graced many exhibit rooms at local galleries over the years. She was often seen around downtown Los Altos wearing her favorite pin of an artist’s palette.

“Art is not just my hobby, it permeates every part of my life,” Mrs. Gallo said in 1999. “I have this compulsion to create and it can be many things, from Oriental style to modern, miniature size to murals.”

Mrs. Gallo first came to California in 1953 from New York, where she attended the acclaimed Art Students League in Manhattan.

Mrs. Gallo is survived by two sons, Paul of Cupertino and Robin of Aptos, and her close life partner and fellow artist, Harlan Howard.

Memorial services are scheduled for 1-4 p.m., Oct. 8, Mrs. Gallo’s birthday, at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos.