Obituary of Edna M. Gates

GOUVERNEUR- Edna M. Gates, age 94, of Gouverneur, NY went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Gouverneur Hospital. Edna M. Gates was born on January 14, 1929 in Morristown, NY to the late Robert and Elizabeth (McManus) Macaulay. She graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1947. Edna married Clifton L. Gates on September 7, 1948 in Depeyster, NY with the late Rev. Daisy Harvey officiating. She was a homemaker. Together Edna and Clifton operated the family farm and also operated a service bull rental business and raised heifers until they were unable to do so because of health. She enjoyed baking, which she is well known for her pies, canning, flower gardening and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. She is also an avid Syracuse basketball fan and a New York Yankee baseball fan. Surviving is a daughter, Elizabeth J. Washburn of Macomb; three sons and their spouses, Dr. Stephen R. Gates and Flemming Behrendt of Nantes, France, Jeffrey F. and Comer Gates of Chester, CT and Wayne C. and Carla Gates of Macomb; a daughter-in-law Eveline Gates of Lafayette, NY; a sister, Anna Bette Brown of Greece, NY; 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Edna is predeceased by her husband, Clifton L. Gates who died in 2011; a son Lewis C. Gates who died in 2001, two brothers Edward and George Macaulay, three sisters, Aleta Parish, Ellen Busto and Jessie Smithers, and a son-in-law, Richard Washburn. Calling hours will be on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 7:00-9:00pm at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. The funeral service will be private with Rev. James Warrington of the De Peyster Methodist Church officiating. Private Burial will follow at the Gates Family Cemetery at Hickory Lake. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who had so much compassion.