Sharon Gates

Sharon Gates was loved by so many and will be missed greatly by her family and friends. She loved helping others, she loved a good party. She loved digging in her flower beds because she loved her plants; but more importantly, she wanted to win the Yard of the Month. Sharon also enjoyed her volunteer work with the PTA and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and as a result of those experiences, she enjoyed amazing lifelong friendships.

Her first love was her family. Sharon found her soul-mate when she met Bobby Gates. Theirs was a love story for the ages, and we take comfort in knowing they are together again, with neither of them feeling the physical pain they endured on earth.

Sharon is best described as kind, patient and fun. Carrying these characteristics forward, she always stressed to her children and grandchildren the value of being patient, kindness matters, and tolerance is our greatest strength. She stood out as “the fun Mom.”  The first in line for roller coasters and haunted houses and always the chaperone at the concerts because she dug the band — especially U2. Whether it was a tennis match, art exhibit, swim meet or an orchestra concert, Sharon was there to support her daughters, Alicia and Tara. Sharon loved her girls with all her heart, and especially enjoyed time with her daughter in-law, Taunya and beloved grandchildren — Layne, Emma and Reece.

Sharon’s second love was working to build young engineers by serving as Academic Advisor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Houston.  It was once said about her work at the University of Houston that “Sharon, saved more souls than the Salvation Army”. She was self-made and a ferociously hard worker.  And Sharon was always good for bail money when her students had a night of “too much fun.”  You would be hard-pressed to find a more devoted Cougar fan. If the Coogs were on TV, Sharon was watching the game and cheering for her team, even after she moved into hospice care.

Sharon had such a great sense of humor.  She was known for her fun pranks, which always stirred up her infectious laughter. She was sweet natured, but no non-sense.  She didn’t hold back her opinion, but was never mean in her delivery and her friends valued her opinion. She had many friends because she was a good friend. When a friend was in need, Sharon was a true friend indeed.

She fought for those that needed someone to raise an incendiary sign of support. She was a social activist that was often found sporting her candidate’s shirt – it seems appropriate to mention here that Bill and Obama were her guys.  

Sharon’s spirit will live on in her loving daughters, grandchildren, family and friends.

The Blog on this page will be revised as needed to keep friends and family updated as events unfold.

Already, there has been an outpouring of support for the family. To help them manage this support, they have asked that monetary donations be made in lieu of flowers to one of the following three amazing organizations:

Amazing Grace Hospice – Amazing Grace Hospice is the AMAZING, team that helped Sharon maintain her dignity during her long-needed care.

Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston – SPECIAL PLACE IN HER HEART

Tuscany Living –The Tuscany Living Villas is a small non-corporate Assisted Living Facility that provides first in class care and living services. They take pride in having one of the best teams – the Gates family greatly benefited from their compassion and attentive care. This team would benefit from donated monies for maintenance costs.

Please use the donation button and select one of the three options when you make your donation.

These organizations have provided so much to the family. Your donations will help them to continue helping others.