On Saturday, February 21, 2021, Bridget McIntyre Gates passed away at the age of 90. She was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1930 in Camden, Arkansas to Bernard and Marcelline McIntyre. On June 3, 1950, she married Thurmond “John” Gates and they had four children. She was also grandmother of two, and great-grandmother of three.
Visitation will begin Tuesday, February 23, 2021, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and Rosary will start at 6:00 PM in St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Visitation will start at 10:00 AM and service will begin at 12:00 Noon, St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder, LA with Father Jude Brunnert, M.S. officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Cemetery, DeRidder, LA, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home, DeRidder, LA. Per CDC guidelines and the family request in honor of their mother’s wishes, masks be worn by all in attendance of the Visitation and/or Funeral Mass services.
She was a faithful Christian and member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in DeRidder, Louisiana where she served on the church council and played the organ for years. She spent her career at Boise Cascade in the late 1960’s and into 1970’s. Bridget was a long-time member of the DeRidder Thursday Study Club, serving as president various times over the years. She enjoyed starting and participating in the Red Hat Society in DeRidder, adding fun and enjoyment to the lives of her friends. In recent years, she has volunteered her time as a bookkeeper for the ECD Global Alliance international nonprofit organization.
Bridget loved her family, was a gracious hostess, had a passion for travel, and a zest for life in general. She loved visiting with people, welcoming all and touching countless people in a positive way throughout her life. Those who got to know her saw the perpetual twinkle in her eyes. She shared her love with all who accepted it. Her travels took her too many countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. Being of Irish ancestry and born on St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland always captured her heart prompting her to visit the country and her distant relatives there often. Bridget was a member of a ladies group study exchange team in India and a multi-Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International. She lived life to the fullest all her 90 years.
Bridget was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Marcelline McIntyre, her brother Michael McIntyre, her sister Mary Felts and her son-in-law Gary Brewer.
She is survived by her husband, John Gates, and their children, Bill & Connie Gates, Patti Gates, Bob & Sharon Gates, and Kathy Brewer, as well as her grandchildren Brian & Suzanne Gates and Martha and Jeff McMillan. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance (www.erdheim-chester.org).
Words of comfort to the family may be shared at www.labbymemorial.com.