Gates, Mary Jane

Mary Jane “Grandma” Gates, beloved mother peacefully passed away with her family by her side at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke, Illinois. She was 93.

She was born in rural Warren County (Monmouth), IL on December 18, 1915, the daughter of Clarence A. and Clara E. (Miller) McKee. She was raised and educated in Monmouth, IL and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1933.

She married E. Warren Gates on April 23, 1942. Warren was well known as a potter and for his successful plumbing and heating business. Warren preceded her in death on August 24, 1984.

With a strength and pride like no other she used the perseverance gleaned from forging through the largest and most economic depression in history. This fortitude of making it through the devastating effects of the Great Depression combined with her eagerness to be around people proved her a trailblazer in the area of college educated and professional women in the work force. Mary Jane was a graduate of Business College and  worked while raising her two children, taking care of her home and husband, as an administrative professional in the Admissions Office at Monmouth Hospital and later at Monmouth College in the Department of Science. Mary Jane also assisted her husband in his Heating & Plumbing business. In her later years, she continued her career as an administrative professional for the Strom Senior Center in Monmouth, even well into her 80s, before retiring.

Mary Jane is fondly remembered by her grandchildren and great grandchildren children for her windmill cookies, her fried chicken, her walnut fruit salad, her tulip and sunflower gardens, her measurements of her children's heights at 722, Easter Egg Hunts, an always available Nehi in the "ice box", chocolate covered cherries and Jergens lotion. Mary Jane was an active member of the Monmouth First United Methodist church and loved to bring her grand kids with her when they were visiting. She was a regular member of Monmouth YMCA and  learned how to swim in her 60's and was an avid swimmer well into her late 80's. She was a member of Red Hat Society, a proud Phi Phi Sorority Mother. She was always up for a game of cribbage with her husband and her girlfriends. She loved spending time with family and never liked to miss an Illini game!

She is survived by two daughters, Filone "Fi" (Chuck) Griffith, of Leesburg, FL and Sandra (Dennis) Kistner, of Peoria, IL; six grandchildren, Ronda (Tom) Gerk, Tina (Danny) Graves,  Derek (Mandy) Kistner,  Brett Kistner,  Andrew Kistner,  and Jenny Kistner,  and seven great grandchildren from her eldest Danell Kreps  who was by her side at her death, Bayley, Meagan, Ashleigh, Joshua and Gabriel Graves,and the 7th great grand child is expected in May 2009.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters.

Cremation has been accorded. There is no services planned at this time. There is a tree planting memorial planned for May 2009, and a notice will be put out for loved ones and colleagues to attend. Memorials may be given to the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke. Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel in Monmouth is in charge of the local arrangements.
This obituary was written by her loving family. Hark Hark Mom-Grandma! 

Online condolences may left at hooverhall.com.