Obituary of Mary Joan Gates

The death of Mary Joan (Fitzgerald) Gates, Quispamsis NB and formerly of St. Stephen, NB occurred unexpectedly on Monday, December 5th, 2005 at the Saint John Regional Hospital where she fought valiantly to the end. Born in Saint John, NB, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Gertrude (Pellerin) Fitzgerald. Mary Joan was school secretary at Rothesay High School, retiring after many years of service. Her retirement allowed her to enjoy many activities such as gardening, bird watching and of being a proud member of the Red Hat Society. Mary Joan is survived by her husband, Carl Gates and by one son, Marc Gates of Saint John, two daughters, Teresa “Terri” O'Dell (Tim) of Riverview, NB and Kelly Gates-Brown of Titusville, NB, two sisters, Patricia Yardley of Calais, Maine and Sister Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC of Dieppe, NB; three brothers , Herbert Fitzgerald (Elaine) of Manchester, NH, Frederick Fitzgerald (Alice) of St.Stephen/Missouri, USA and Michael Fitzgerald (Fran) of Quispamsis, NB; sister-in-law, Connie (Gates) Donley, four grandchildren, Natasha Black, Chloe Brown, Gabrielle Brown and Marissa Gates; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Clement Yardley and Murray Donnely. Resting at Kennebecasis Select Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, NB (506) 849-2119, with visitation on Thursday from 7-9 pm and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Vigil prayers will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10th, 2005 from St. Mark's Catholic Church, Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, at 10:00 am, with Rev. Donald F. Breen officiating. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick or to a charity of the donor's choice.