Agnes B. "Ginny" Gates

1935 - 2020

Choirs of angels greeted Ginny upon her entrance into Heaven on April 23, 2020. Ginny was born on July 21, 1935, in Lansford, PA. Ginny's parents arrived from Czechoslovakia and raised her, and four siblings with the American Dream. Much of Ginny's young life was spent working in her family's neighborhood grocery store. She achieved her parents' greatest wishes to become college educated and become a talented pianist.
As she began her college life at Beaver College, her friends decided that "Agnes" was not a fitting name for a girl away at school. She lovingly became known as "Ginny", which is how her family and friends endeared her through her life. Ginny continued her college career and graduated from the George Washington University, with a BA in Zoology. Later in life, she received her Master's Degree from the University of West Florida, in Psychology.
While attending the George Washington University, she sang with the Troubadours. This elite group of performers made several trips to Newfoundland, Thule, Greenland, and even sang at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. Ginny continued to share her talents of singing and piano through her life.
After raising her children, Ginny began a fulfilling career helping youth. She worked for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department as a juvenile counselor, and then became a School Psychologist for the Okaloosa County School District. She was admired by her school community as an utmost professional, and one that was a champion for children. Her coworkers became her friends.
Ginny was an avid traveler. Her love for traveling began as an Air Force wife, and continued as she still had trips planned in her calendar. Some of her best days were spent in the middle of nowhere, with her beloved cruising group.
Ginny's greatest accomplishment was her family. She is survived by her children, Kimberly Gates Keeler and husband, Jim of Shalimar, FL, Kathleen Gates Ard and husband, Rob, of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Michael and wife, Cindy of Shalimar, Fl. These children gave her wonderful grandchildren, Peyton Keeler, Austin Keeler, Trevor Ard and Kendall Ard. Ginny is also survived by two brothers and sister in laws, Dr. Stephen and Ruth Botek of Manhattan, NY, and Francis and Margaret Botek of Mahoning Valley. Ginny leaves behind several nieces and nephews, numerous wonderful friends all over the world, and her much loved church family at St. Simon's Episcopal Church. We are so thankful that her companion, Bella the cat, has been adopted by a close family friend and her cats.
Ginny was an avid reader and enjoyed her Book Club friends at St. Simons. She also was on the St. Simons' Flower Guild and became a talented flower arranger. Ginny and her friends also had many wonderful trips to Biloxi. Her friends describe her as kind, beautiful, giving, so much fun to be around, with a loving heart. Her greatest passion was being a mother. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Ginny is preceded in death by her parents Stephen and Elizabeth Botek, sister Betty Szuminski, sister Josephine Botek, and niece, Carrie Szuminski.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date at St. Simon's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers. The family suggests donations to the St. Simon's Choir Fund. Donations can be sent to St. Simons Episcopal Church, 28 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com