Margaret J. “Peggy” Gates, 95, of Curwensville died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 at her residence.
Born Aug. 10, 1919 in Indiana, she was the daughter of John and Eva Belle (Airgood) Jacoby.
She was a graduate of the Indiana Area High School. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh University in nursing. She served her country in the U.S. Army during World War II as a nurse.
She was employed as a registered nurse. She was an instructor and taught at the Clearfield School of Nursing. She served as administrator for Clear Haven Nursing Home. She was also a jury commissioner for Clearfield County for 20 years.
She was a member of the Curwensville Presbyterian Church, where she served as a lay minister, elder and Sunday school teacher.
She was also a former member of the Curwensville Women’s Club and the Clearfield Hospital Nurses Alumni Association and a member of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6.
On Feb. 22, 1951 in Clearfield, she wed James Kirkwood Gates, whom preceded her in death on Oct. 26, 1990. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Orville and Howard Jacoby; and a sister, Betty Filanowski.
She is survived by two children, Margie Yescavage and her husband, Ed and H. Jefferson “Jeff” Gates, all of Curwensville, and a grandson, Kirk Yescavage of Curwensville.
She was the last member of her generation.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gates will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Curwensville Presbyterian Church in Curwensville with Mr. Gary Jewart and Pastor Charles Tabor co-officiating.
Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Curwensville. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by member of the Clearfield Honor Guard.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Curwensville and from 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when the procession will depart for the church.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Penn Highlands Clearfield Hospice, 809 Turnpike Ave., Clearfield, PA 16830; Curwensville Presbyterian Church, 430 Locust St., Curwensville, PA 16833; or the Nurses Alumni Association of the Clearfield Hospital, 2541 Meadow Rd., Clearfield, PA 16830.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
