Myrtle C. (Downing) Gates

Myrtle Christiana (Downing) Gates, 94, passed away peacefully in her Lakeville home on June 25, 2023. Born in Campton, N.H., she was the daughter of the late Alphonso F. and Phoebe (Avery) Downing Powers.

She was the Valedictorian of Plymouth, N.H., High School Class of 1946 and graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1950. “Chris” was a 4-H county extension agent when she met her husband, Harold C. Gates, Jr. together they owned and operated the Gates Dairy Farm in Middleborough. They were both leaders, committee members and supporters of the East Middleborough 4-H Club.

Mrs. Gates was a home economics teacher at Middleborough High School for many years, a unit sales leader for Stanley Home Products and retired from Lakeville Hospital working in the Medical Records department.

She was the beloved wife of the late Harold C. Gates, Jr., devoted mother of Cheryl G. Kutzy and her husband Harry, Bruce D. Gates and his wife Melanie, Wendy G. Sousa and her husband Michael; loving grandmother of Jacob, Deanna and her husband Dan, Leah and her husband Perry, Danielle and her husband Jimmy, and Lauren; proud great-grandmother of Colette, Caleb, Madilyn, Lydia and Eloise; she also leaves many nieces and nephews. Myrtle was predeceased by her brother Alphonso L. Downing.

A private graveside service will be held where Myrtle will be laid to rest next to her late husband Harold, in The Parish Cemetery at The Green on Plympton Street in Middleborough.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Chris may be made to:

East Middleborough 4-H c/o Plymouth County Extension Office, 44 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360, or Compassionate Care Hospice, 100 Myles Standish Blvd. Suite 103, Taunton, MA 02780

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Myrtle C. (Downing) Gates, please visit our floral store.