Eileen Gates Dobson

Eileen Gates Dobson Eileen, the 2nd generation of the original Dobson pioneering family of the Salt River Valley, left us peacefully on March 24th 2011. She was born on January 29th 1918 in Orange County California to Carl and Hilda Kirchoff Gates. She was the eldest of three sisters, including Lucille Patterson (deceased) and Venola Redwine of Orange California. Eileen's life was filled with many achievements. She was a member of Mesa's First United Methodist Church, Mesa Desert Club, PEO for 60 years, a Rotary Ann, Arizona Wool Producers Association Auxiliary, Farm Bureau, and she and her husband Earl were charter members of Mesa Country Club. Along with Earl, they began farming and ranching in the Chandler/Mesa area in 1937. They resided on Elliot Road and then moved to Mesa at the Dobson Ranch until Earls death in 1993. She later moved to Pennington Gardens in Chandler. Eileen is survived by her three sons, Dwayne (Carol), Dennis (Judy), and Vinson (Jacque). She has 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Venola Redwine and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service celebrating Eileen's resurrection will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 15 W. 1st Ave Mesa, AZ on Wednesday March 30th at 10:00 AM, with a luncheon to follow immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Inspiris, 2025 N. 3rd St. #205 Phoenix, AZ 85004 or the First United Methodist Church in Mesa. Meldrum Mortuary handled the arrangements.

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