Dorothy Gates

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Dorothy Gates was a gracious and humble woman whose greatest joy was found in being with the ones she loved. She was a loving wife and mother as well as a devoted homemaker who efficiently kept her home in tip-top shape. Dorothy was a caregiver through and through who tenderly nurtured and cared for loved ones during their time of great need. She was not without trials in her life, but she faced whatever came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that are to be admired. Dorothy leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will be a lasting treasure in the hearts of her friends and loved ones.

The Roaring Twenties were a vibrant time in American history. The days of WWI were in the past, and until the crash of the stock market in 1929 there was great prosperity. Because the assembly line made cars more affordable, the average American family had a way of seeing new places on roads that were being constructed at a fast pace. Radios were also a sign of the time, as were washing machines, refrigerators, and motion pictures in both color and sound. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1924 that was filled with great anticipation for Anthony and Cecilia (Skula) Szudera as they were expecting a new baby at any time as summer finally arrived in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The big day finally arrived on June 25th when the baby girl they named Dorothy Patricia drew her first breath.

In many ways Dorothy was a young girl of her generation. She was raised in the family home on Watson Street, however, as the harsh days of the Great Depression gripped the nation throughout the 1930s the Szudera family was among the countless American families who lost their home during this time. Later on they were able to relocate to Hovey Street, SW. Dorothy’s father worked as a machinist while her mother was a homemaker. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary and later went on to graduate from Union High School in 1941 after having skipped a grade.

As a young woman Dorothy was eager for all that life had in store. She always seemed to have a job, and she spent quite a bit of time working as a secretary at Nabisco. Dorothy liked to roller skate and ice skate, and as a result she spent a lot of time at the rink that her brother managed. She married during this time, and in 1946 she was filled with unspeakable joy to become a mother to her son, Fred. After her marriage came to an end, Dorothy returned to Grand Rapids to live with her parents.

Always willing to work hard, Dorothy took a job as an office manager in the parts department at Gezon Motors where she spent 40 years. It was there that she met the man of her dreams. His name was Elmer Gates, and he worked at an auto repair shop owned by his brother. Dorothy and Elmer struck up a friendship when he came in with cars for service, and their friendship later blossomed into love. He even purchased a car for her when hers was totaled. One day he asked her, “Can you cook? Will you marry me?” Dorothy answered both of his questions with a “yes.” Elmer wanted a new home so they built one at 852 N. Kentview, NE. They became husband and wife on April 21, 1959, at the local justice of the peace.

After a honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they returned home and settled into their new life together. Dorothy ran a tight ship at home, keeping things neat and orderly. Her skills in the kitchen were fantastic, and among her specialities were her stuffed pork chops, lobster, and the best gravy around. Dorothy also washed all the dishes by hand as she never had a dishwasher. She liked her coffee, a lot of it, and it was always with two creams and three sugars, too. For the most part Dorothy and Elmer preferred to be at home, but they did go out to dinner or do a few other things when Fred was in town. She and Elmer also enjoyed working outside, and they even had his and hers lawnmowers! In her down time Dorothy liked to knit afghans or read as she was an avid reader of novels and romance novels. Although they didn’t travel much, they did go to Arizona to see Fred. When needed, Dorothy served as a caregiver for her great aunt and her sister.

Looking to downsize, Dorothy and Elmer moved to Villa Maria Retirement Community in 2008 where she was will liked and made many new friends. They enjoyed going out to dinner on weekends to places like Outback Steakhouse or Perkins, and sometimes they also went out to a movie.

In February of 2010, a major stroke left Elmer in the hospital for several months as it paralyzed him on one side. Through much therapy and struggle, Elmer learned to walk again, which wasn’t a surprise to those who knew Elmer. He later moved to Heartland Health Care and finally to the Christian Rest Home. So they could stay together, Dorothy also moved to their independent living facility. As Elmer’s health continued to decline, she was there to care for him as needed. Sadly, he died at the Christian Rest home on Thursday, June 2, 2011. Through the strength and love of her family and friends, Dorothy continued on. She even celebrated her two favorite birthdays, her 89th and 90th.

All who knew Dorothy Gates would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was gracious and caring, tender and nurturing in such a special way. Dorothy was devoted to her loved ones, and her spirit of generosity was unmatched. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.