Obituary of Sandra Gates
Sandra Lynn Gates passed away at home on August 30 2024, at the age of 46. Sandy was born in Brandon on June 29, 1978, to Richard and Sherrie Gates (nee Balkwill). Sandy was a quiet natured, funny, humble, extremely thoughtful and loving person. Sandy was a stellar student who excelled in mathematics. She graduated from Vincent Massey High School. Her post secondary education was at the Assiniboine Community College where she graduated with honors from both Business Administration, and later Licensed Practical Nursing.
Like her father before her, and the whole Gates family, Sandy was a talented ball player. She turned down an opportunity to play on the Western Canadian Team in lieu of giving up her local team, which included her close childhood friend Julie Clelland (Maynard). Sandy was an enthusiastic fan of the Blue Jays, and caught a few games in Minneapolis last summer. Sandy nursed full time at Dinsdale Nursing Care Home in Brandon for 18 years. She put in many overtime hours during Covid, and nursing shortages. She was loved and respected by both staff and residents and is missed for her funny, loving and caring nature.
In the summertime, Sandy enjoyed swimming and picnics with her three sons and family at Splash Water Park in Portage la Prairie, and the Souris /Glenwood Outdoor Water Park. Sandy loved all music, and shared her mother’s love of the oldies of the 50’s and 60’s.
Sandy was a devoted mother to her two oldest sons Steven and Andrew Gates, as well as her youngest son Wil Gates-Hodson, that she co-parented with her partner Vince.
Sandy had a lifelong love of Mickey Mouse, first having traveled to Disneyland with her Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bob Munday at age 11, as a babysitter for her cousins, Dori and Robbie Munday. Sandy returned to Disneyland many times with friends, and again last summer, with her partner Vince and sons Andrew and Wil as well as sister, Melissa (Roger) Wooley and their children Ava and Miles. Sandy also enjoyed two trips to Mexico. Once with her partner's family and one she initiated last winter with her family including sons Steven, Andrew and Wil, and her partner Vince, her mother Sherrie and husband Peter Juba, brothers Paul and Scott Gates, and wife Keri children Chase Thomas, fiancé Tayla Kendall, daughter Abi Gates. (Son Jacob could not attend due to university exams) as well as sister, Melissa Wooley and husband Roger and their children Ava and Miles. Sandy is predeceased by her father Richard Gates and stepmother Colleen.
Sandy’s beautiful soul, her kindness, haunting blue eyes, dry witted humor and smile, will be sadly missed by all her friends and family.
Sandy’s planned celebration of life will be a private family gathering.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sandy’s name can be made to: ALS Society of Manitoba, #2a 1717 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H OH2.
