Mary I. GATES

Mary I. GATES, 88, of Front Royal, VA, formerly of Scio, NY, died Wednesday, October 12, 2022, in Winchester Medical Center. 

Born September 21, 1934, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Newell and Helen Marsh Potter.  On July 3, 2004, in Wellsville, she married Frederick R. Gates, who survives.  A graduate of Wellsville High School, she was employed by the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington DC for 12 years and then by Jan & Bev’s Home Care in Wellsville.  Mary was a member of Knights Creek Evangelical Methodist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Fairfax, VA, and several other churches. 

Surviving besides her husband, Fred, are:  a son, James G. (Mary) Kocher, III of Singer Island, FL;  a daughter, Lynda (Ron) Bennett of Front Royal, VA;  a step-daughter, Rebecca White of Bath;  two step-sons, Lee Gates of Rock City and Brian Gates of Scio;  several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren that she loved dearly;  nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two sons, Newell Charles Kocher and Kevin John Kocher;  a grandson, Rodney Williams Whitney, Jr.;  and a sister, Donna E. Dixon. 

Friends may call at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, October 21, 2022 in Knights Creek Evangelical Methodist Church, Scio.  Rev. Carl Kemp will officiate.  Burial will be in Knights Creek Cemetery, Scio. 

Memorials may be made to Knights Creek Church. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.