Anne P. Gates

Turners Falls, Massachusetts
Turners Falls, Massachusetts
August 22, 1924 - September 7, 2014
Anne P. Gates of Turners Falls, a warm and compassionate spirit, ever giving volunteer and loving mother and grandmother died at home after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Lt. Col. Joseph Rossetti, her granddaughter Bonnie and husband Alfred.  Anne is survived by a son, Richard (wife Mary) of El Sobrante, CA, and three daughters: Carol Fischer (husband Gary) of San Jose, CA, Susan Stebbins (husband Robert) of Amherst, MA and Patricia Flynn (husband Ed Bohline) of Brattleboro, VT. There are also 10 grandchildren and, 5 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a number of cousins including many in Italy.
 Born Enide Rossetti in Civita Castellana, Italy, to parents Carolina and Angelo, Anne celebrated her 90^th birthday just last month.  The family immigrated in 1930 settling in Southwick, MA. Anne graduated from Southwick Consolidated School and Westfield High School and maintained friendships from that time throughout her life. While working at the American Bosch she met Alfred Gates whom she married on September 7, 1946 in St. Mary’s Church in Westfield, MA and together made Westfield their home. In 1963, the family, which then included four children, moved to Turners Falls. Anne and Al celebrated their 61^st wedding anniversary before his death in 2008.
Anne held a variety of administrative jobs, but particularly enjoyed her employment at the Northfield Inn, the Department of Education at the University of Massachusetts, and the Treasurer's Office for the Town of Montague, from where she retired in 1987. Anne's retirement years were even busier with her extensive volunteer activities through Our Lady of Peace Church, the Ladies Elks Auxiliary, and Baystate Franklin Medical Center. 
Anne, a generous soul, made friends wherever she lived or traveled, friends who will remember her spirit and ever ready sense of humor. 
Visiting hours will be observed on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 from the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 14 Prospect Street, Turners Falls, MA from 4:00PM until 7:00PM.  A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be conducted on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh Street, Turners Falls, MA at 10:00AM, with Rev. Fr. Stanley J. Aksamit, Pastor as the celebrant. A reception will follow in the parish Fr. Casey Hall at the conclusion of the Mass.  Guests are asked to convene directly at the church in observance of the services on Thursday morning. A private burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anne’s memory to Our Lady of Peace Church, 90, Seventh Street, Turners Falls, Ma 01376 or Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA  01301 

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