Kathy Gates, 63 of Lawrence, Kansas passed away Friday night, October 24, 2014 at her childhood home, in the presence of her loving family, during her final month, and following her short battle with cancer.
Kathy was the daughter of Anna Lauretta Pierce and Raymond D. Schott. She and her twin, Cindy, were born during the 1951 flood in Lawrence, Kansas on July 16.
Kathy graduated from Emporia State Teacher’s College in 1974 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology.
She married Don Gates, Lone Star, Kansas in October of 1976. He survives. They had a beautiful daughter, Retta Gates Martin.
Kathy worked many years for Allen Press in Lawrence as a proofreader. She wrote a book with her twin sister, Cindy Schott Hutchison in 2005. She always had an interest in family and local history.
Kathy was preceded in death by her mother, Lauretta Schott in 2001.
Kathy is survived by her daughter, Retta Gates Martin (Jeremy Martin), of Olathe; and her twin sister, Cindy Schott Hutchison, (Glenn W. Hutchison Jr.), of Belton, Missouri. She is also survived by her father Raymond D. Schott, Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence, Kansas.
No service is planned. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please give contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society in Kathy’s name.
It’s the small things that tell about a person. A co-worker would slam jobs down on our table and always made me jump. Kathy quickly picked up on that and was always careful not to make sudden loud noises. That was Kathy—observing things that others didn’t notice and trying to make things better. Co-ordinating help for a co-worker who was struggling. Befriending those who needed a friend. Bringing me a precious garage sale find because she remembered that I collected cobalt glass.
Her curiosity and desire to continue learning (and coming up with interesting and bizarre facts to entertain us). Writing a book with Cindy so that Lawrence would know and not ignore our sometimes dark past. Helping to publicize a long past disappearance in hopes of giving some closure.
I was priviledged to have been a small part of her life. We will not see another like her.
I have great memories of Kathy and Cindy! Being a twin (but a twin brother, Bob) was always a special bond we shared. We were in the same class -LHS 1969. Cindy, I read your book as I enjoy history especially of Lawrence. I will find and reread.
My heart aches for you, Cindy as know life will be different now, but I am sure she will be your guardian angel!!
I remember the twins getting a big safe driver award a few days before crashing into a tree or something. Actually it wasn’t their fault. The brakes on their aging car failed. They weren’t charged.
Thank you, Kathy for Dip Days. Thank you for your animal charity calendars and your food days, and for sharing your bottle of Tums. Thank you for your proofreading help and for always believing I could identify every weird creature you found. You had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve known, and my life is better for having had you as a friend.
Please accept my sincere sympathy. Rest assured that our loving God certainly knows of your pain of heart. The promises from his word shows that he yearns to remedy your despair. (Job 14:15) May God comfort and sustain your family to get through not only this day, but many others to come. (Isaiah 41:13)
I remember Kathy as a Jr. High student at Central. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.
Kathy and Cindy my only cousins ,and now it is just the two of us. The last time isaw Kathy was at an art fair with Donny when David was with the art center.The lesson here is stop putting off getting together with people you love and care about.We always think there will be that “someday” but sadly there so often isn’t. Somewhere out there Kathy knows we love and miss her presence on earth.
Kathy and Cindy my only cousins ,and now it is just the two of us. The last time isaw Kathy was at an art fair with Donny when David was with the art center.The lesson here is stop putting off getting together with people you love and care about.We always think there will be that “someday” but sadly there so often isn’t. Somewhere out there Kathy knows we love and miss her presence on earth.
My sincerest sympathies to Cathy’s family and friends.
Peace.
Kathy it was pleasure knowing you and working with you at Allen Press. My thoughts to all of the family and her close friends!
I’m so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. My prayers to her family. Cindy that tremendous bond you have with your sister is never ending, your love and care of her and her love and care for you is ever present.
Kathy and I worked together many years at Allen Press. She was always thinking of others and generous with herself, her time and feeding all of us. We never went hungry when Kathy was organizing celebrations at work. She will be missed by many people.
I always enjoyed conversing with Kathy in the mornings at work. She was a great cook and that along with her compassion for the Earth and all living things were two of her greatest qualities. Her snarkiness made me laugh and she was never afraid to speak her mind. For that, she earned my respect. Rest in peace, my friend. Your spirit will never be forgotten. To her family and close friends, my deepest condolences.
Kathy was a kindred spirit—she understood the bohemian side of life. Her wit was sardonic; her generosity, marvelous. I will miss her.
Kathy’s sardonic sense of humor brightened so many of my days at Allen Press. She was a cynical soul mate, but also one of the most caring, giving people I know. She saw many people like me come and go at Allen Press, but she left a lasting impression on each of us, and memories of her will never be forgotten.
I remember both Cynthia and Kathy from high school, both so smart and friendly!I know this is a huge loss–twins are the closest relationship in human life.
Sincerely,
Allan Brain
Kathy taught me to be bold in my beliefs and values. Although I always questioned my own intelligence in her presence, she never questioned my capabilities and always believed in me. Even though I called our daily, morning communal coffee sludge, I was always grateful that it was there and that she never failed to make it for us all every day. I’m now at a loss as to how we will keep our Allen Press family informed on our ever changing lives in New York because Kathy really did do it all. I knew that if I mailed something in the care of Kathy it would not just be well received but also well managed. I still make sure to clean up ever coffee spill to this day and think of her each time I do it remembering the time she moved the trash can under where we poured our coffee in hopes that this move would prevent her from her annoying duty of cleaning up our dribbles. My two Lawrence Humane Society kitties will also be a continuous reminder of her love and care for all living things. She will be so missed, but I take comfort that her teachings will live on in my daily life.
Sorry for your loss! Kathy was in elementary school with me at Kennedy. I remember her to be a nice, somewhat shy person, full of fun. Prayers for the family.
Although I had met Kathy a few times, I mainly knew her as Cindy’s twin sister. That bond is much more than simply a bond between sisters. Cindy, I know the memories will pop into your mind unexpectedly and connected to many associations through-out the rest of your life. May you always cherish your times together and find comfort in being Kathy’s twin.
Sincerely,
Shirley Walters
So very sorry for you loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family.
So very sorry for yours and your families loss Cindy.
My thoughts are with you Cindy, this is very hard, I know. You will deep her memory alive..
Sorry for your loss. Kathy was a great cook, also. And so many other things to us.
She was our “Mom” at Allen Press.
I did not know Kathy had been ill. So sorry for your loss. Even though we haven’t seen much of each other in recent years we have been friends since 1971. May you find comfort in knowing she lived her life well.
Sincerely,
Mary Lemesany and family