Adrienne Gates

Adrienne Morris Gates
January 7, 1926 – January 11, 2016
Our sweet sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, Adrienne, returned to her heavenly home on Monday January 11, 2016. She has finished her experience here on this earth.
Adrienne was born January 7, 1926 to Melvyn Conway Morris Jr. and Lydia Reeder Morris at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. She was later joined by 3 siblings. She lived her early life in Salt Lake City and attended school at McKinley Elementary, South High School, and later at Brigham Young University. Mom started her working career as a clerk/typist at Fort Douglas during her junior year of high school. She enjoyed the job so much that she arranged to attend night school during her senior year at South High but was still able to graduate with her class.
When Adrienne was 20 years old and then working at the airport for United Airlines, she met Jim Gates. After dating for 2 ½ years, they married on May 28, 1948. Dad and mom built a home on Highland Drive in Cottonwood Heights and moved into the home when they got married. This is the home that their 6 children were born and raised while living on their surrounding farm where they were taught the lesson of hard work.
At the young age of 46, mom was left a widow with 4 children still at home when Jim died in 1972. Mom was resourceful and was able to remain in the home to raise those children. She taught many lessons to her children. But one lesson that was very clear that mom taught is “No Whining”. She never complained about the condition she was left as a widow. She just pulled up her bootstraps and took care of business. We, as children, may not have had everything, but we had enough.
Mother loved to serve. She served in many wards while she lived in her home on Highland Drive. After dad’s death, she later moved to her home around the corner on 7200 South. She loved all of the wards she lived in but she dearly loved her ward family and friends in the Butler 11th Ward. She served as a pianist/organist for the Primary organization for many years. She held many other callings but one she particularly loved was working in the library at the church. This is where she could meet and visit with so many members of her ward. Some of the greatest service mom gave was to her family.
Adrienne enjoyed spending time with her many, many friends. She would attend weekly Church Education Classes to learn more about the gospel she loved. She also participated in Daughters of The Utah Pioneers, due to her pioneer heritage. She had friends she would share time with at TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and then dinner afterwards.  
Mom was the living lesson of enduring to the end. She NEVER complained of her circumstances. She NEVER complained about her declining health. Mother truly taught the greatest lesson of all, enduring to the end WELL! Mom has now been reunited with dad, her parents, and many more loved ones that have been gone so long.
Adrienne is survived by her children: Chris (Bill-deceased) Monson, Jim (Linda) Gates, Becky (Gregg) Cameron, Mike (Monica) Gates, Marlayna (Kelly) Christensen, and Jon (Diane) Gates. She is also survived by her siblings: Ramona Morris, Conway (Shirley) Morris, and David (Carole) Morris. Some of mom’s most precious treasures are her 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way, and 2 step great-grandchildren). She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a great-great-granddaughter, Karman Christine Monson.
A viewing will be held Thursday January 14, 2016 from 6-8 pm. The funeral will be held Friday January 15, 2016 at 11 am with a viewing 1 hour prior to the services. These will both be held at the Butler 11th Ward building at 1845 East 7200 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial Estates Cemetery at 3115 E 7800 South.
On her 90th birthday party, just held on January 1, 2016, she shared these words of wisdom: “Keep enduring. Remember, do the best you can in everything you do!” The last words she wanted to share with each of us are, “You know I love you. I say it all the time. Thank you for your love and support you have given me. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Service Information
Viewing January 14, 2016 at 6:00-8:00 pm
1846 East 7200 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121





Viewing January 15, 2016 at 10:00-10:45 am
1846 East 7200 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121





Celebration of Life
January 15, 2016 at 11:00 am
1846 East 7200 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121