Lyndsay F. Gates, 87, of Pleasant Grove, Utah passed on Monday, September 3, 2018. She was born in Wellington, New Zealand, the second daughter of Charles and Rita Bruce, she was “a flightless little bird that went to a lot of different places”. After getting through boarding school, school uniforms and woolen socks, she went on to Otago (NZ) Teachers College where she got her degree for primary education.
She taught in single teacher schools where she learnt to do all the jobs, including janitor and horse keeper (she had students who rode the horse to school, and she would have to whistle up the horse so they could go home each day). She took her sister up on an offer to go to England in 1952, to help celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and stayed to teach. While they were out of school during the summers they toured England, Scotland, and a lot of Europe.
While on one trip through Geneva, Switzerland she and her sister were asked to translate a French menu for a couple of American GI’s. One became her brother-in-law, the other her husband Arlen. She married her American GI on September 19, 1957 in London, England and started what she called her “greatest adventure”.
She traveled all over the United States, back to Europe and settled in Utah. Along the way she had 7 children, her “International Motley Crew of Monsters”: Charles, Bruce, Allen, Charlene, Michele, Gregory and Ross. Since settling in Utah, she stayed busy working as a teacher’s aide with Dan Peterson and Cedar Ridge schools, specializing aide to students with special needs.
She was active with the local lodge of Oddfellows and Rebekahs, and donated her time and efforts to other charitable causes. She enjoyed her time with the ladies of her book club and once a month having luncheon with the “ladies that lunched”. Lindsay loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she enjoyed passing on her knowledge that she had gained throughout her life experiences and travels.
She always made sure that she was available for a good listen or a story if needed or asked for. She is preceded in death by her husband Arlen, her sons Charles, Gregory and Ross and her daughter Michele, and great grandson JJ. She is survived by her sister Jean Cinatl (Peru, Indiana) her sons, Bruce (Antioch, California) Allen (Salt Lake City, Utah) and daughter Charlene (Pleasant Grove, Utah), 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The family will be having a Tribute and Remembrance for Lyndsay on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. – 11. 15 a.m. at the LDS church located at 425 East 500 North in Pleasant Grove, Utah followed by a graveside service and internment in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Please note we ask that you bring your fondest memories and stories to share with everyone who joins the family, and at her request this will not “be a big production, just family and friends remembering the best about her”.
Any cash donations will be made in her name to Christmas for Kids through the Oddfellows lodge.
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