Marian Patricia Gates

Marian Patricia ("Pat") Gates, formerly of Port Clinton, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, in her home in Albany, Oregon, with her daughter Debby and son-in-law Jim at her side.

She is survived by her daughter Debby (Jim) Luchsinger, Albany OR; grandson Ryan (Valerie) Luchsinger, Marietta, GA; nephews Brad (Lori) Granfield, Sandpoint, ID; Stu (Suzanne) Granfield, Stuart, FL; grand niece Allie Grandfield and grand-nephew Matthew Granfield, both of Florida; step-daughter Sandy (Gates) Householder, Port Clinton, OH; step-grandchildren Samantha Beggin, Lakewood, OH and Maggie Margulies, Kent, OH; Shane Householder, Taryn Householder-Southern, and five great-grandchildren, as well as countless former students and friends.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband Bernie Gates, Norm Amidaneau, her sister Shirley (Cook) Granfield, 2 stepdaughters (Diane Gates Margulies and Sherry Gates), her parents, Jim and Grace (Fritz) Cook, her son, Kirk Amidano, 3 cousins, and 1 niece.

Pat was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to James and Grace (Fritz) Cook on June 2, 1931. She graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in education, was a member of the Phi Mu sorority, and later earned a master's degree from Bowling Green State University in Education. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Pat was a lifelong teacher - both in and out of the classroom. While she primarily taught 3rd grade at Portage Elementary but also at Lacarne and Catawba Elementary schools. In addition, early in her career, she taught and substituted in schools in rural Kentucky, Mentor, and Dayton Ohio. She, along with Bernie, was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, the Port Clinton Yacht Club, and a former member of the Catawba Island Club, and was active in numerous civic activities in and around Port Clinton.

And, of course, Pat was a RABID Oho State football fan!

In 2021, Pat moved to Albany, Oregon to a large retirement community complex to be closer to Debby and Jim. While she continued to miss her friends in Port Clinton, she was very active and social in her new home, both participating in and directing many events. She will be missed by all.

Memorial services and a celebration of life will be held at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services commencing at 11:30. Interment will follow at Catawba Cemetery.