Audrey W. Gates

Audrey Weiss Gates of Princeton, NJ Audrey Weiss Gates, a vibrant spirit whose life was a tapestry of family, friendship, and community, passed away peacefully on November 14th at the age of 94. The daughter of Helen and Irwin Weiss, Audie, as she was known to family and friends, was born on December 3, 1930. She attended Princeton Public Schools, where both of her parents were teachers, and then Centenary Junior College. After college, she worked at Princeton University in the Alumni Office and soon met the love of her life, Moore (Mosie) Gates, Jr. They were married on February 13th, 1954, and enjoyed 65 years of marriage living in Princeton before Mosie's death in 2019.
Her volunteer spirit was boundless. Audrey gave generously of her time to the Hun School Parents' Association, Princeton Nursery School, where she served as President of the Board, Trinity Counseling Service, where she chaired the Bastille Day Ball, and Princeton Medical Center, where she logged over 5,000 volunteer hours over 40 years and co-chaired the June Fete. Audie's true passion was her gardens. She was happiest "when playing in the dirt". She was awarded a special commendation just days before her passing for 60 years of service and devotion to the Stony Brook Garden Club where she nurtured multi-generational friendships. She held many leadership positions, serving as President from 1976 to 1978 and played key roles planning events including the May Market and Rockingham.
Audrey and Mosie loved to travel and especially enjoyed adventures on Mosie's Princeton University '48 Class trips worldwide as well as US Seniors Golf Association tournaments around the country. Family summer vacations at Lake Carmi in northern Vermont, Martha's Vineyard and Mattapoisett, MA were endless fun and ski trips to Woodstock, VT kept the winter season busy.
A member of Nassau Presbyterian Church for 83 years, Audie was the longest standing member. She was also a member of the Springdale Golf Club, the Nassau Club, and a lively duplicate bridge group.
Audrey was a beautiful woman of decorum with a wonderful hint of irreverence which earned her the nickname "Naughty Audie". She was vivacious and had an infectious sense of fun. Audie was always ready for a "toot" which was her word for an adventure. She adored dancing and could jitterbug the night away. She told all her grandchildren that in her next life she was coming back as a belly dancer!
Above all, Audrey was the heart of her family - a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother whose legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the joy she spread. She is survived by her son David and wife Stacy of Tequesta, FL and Manchester, VT, son Bill and wife Anne of Princeton, son Tom and wife Tracey of Pennington, daughter Susie and husband Michael of Cape Town, South Africa seven grandchildren and three great grandsons. She and her family will be forever grateful for the loving devotion of her care givers; Mercedes, Michele and Syndia.
Audrey's life was a garden of generosity, laughter, and love. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered. A celebration of her life will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton on November 24th at 11:00 with a reception immediately following at Springdale Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to The Garden Club of America Conservation Fund (https://www.gcamerica.org/contribute/form/fund/conservation) or Nassau Presbyterian Church.