BERLIN – Sylvia Jean Gates, 84, formerly of East Hardwick and Barre, died early Friday, June 20, at Berlin Health & Rehabilitation Center in Berlin. Her loving family was at her side.
She was born May 12, 1941, in Greensboro, the daughter of the late Donald and Ellen Willey. Sylvia attended Greensboro public schools and graduated from Greensboro High School in the class of 1959.
On April 1, 1961, Sylvia married Louis Joseph “Louie” Gates in Morrisville. Together they raised two daughters.
For more than 37 years, Sylvia was employed by Concord Manufacturing, until she retired in 2008. She then worked for Turtle Fur Manufacturing. Both companies were in Morrisville.
Sylvia was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She made her family her number one priority and loved them all unconditionally. She enjoyed puzzles, bingo and sewing.
Survivors include a daughter, Vicky Lanpher of Barre; two siblings, Linda Smith of Westfield and Jeannette Guyette of Wilder; four grandchildren, Chelsea Gates of Stowe, Dylan Gates and his wife Rachel of Troy, N.Y., Robbie Gates Lanpher, and Bradey Gates Lanpher, both of Barre; a great-grandson, Jaxon Gates of Stowe; a great-granddaughter, Zoe Gates of Troy, N.Y.; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sylvia was predeceased by her husband, Louie Gates, in 2007; a daughter, Robin Gates, in 2021; and four siblings, Frank Willey, Evelyn Kellogg, Shirley Pearson and Virginia Richardson.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., on August 2, at the United Church of Hardwick. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Hardwick.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, P.O. Box 837, Morrisville, VT 05661.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are at northernvermontfuneralservice.com
