COLUMBUS
Florence Mary Gatesy, age 96, passed away peacefully Monday evening, October 25th at her residence in Four Seasons Retirement Center, Columbus, IN.
She was born November 2, 1924 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to the late Harry Maurer and Katherine (Kirkman) Maurer. She and her husband Arthur of 62 years, had been residents of the Four Seasons Retirement Community in Columbus since 2012. She was a member of the Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church.
Florence grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey and graduated from Elizabeth High School. After high school she worked for Prudential Life Insurance in Newark, New Jersey for fifteen years. On June 16, 1957 she married Arthur William Gatesy of Garwood, New Jersey.
In 1963 they moved to Watchung, New Jersey where her husband set up and ran a dental practice while Florence raised three boys and encouraged them to pursue their dreams. She was an avid reader and volunteered for many years at the Watchung Public Library. Florence enjoyed hosting extended family gatherings for the Holidays, yearly family reunion picnics, and vacations to Beach Haven on Long Beach Island. In addition, she was an accomplished tennis player and challenged for the city tournament on a yearly basis. Faith was a core value and guiding principle her whole life and she was an active member of Saint Mary’s Stony Hill Catholic Church.
Following Art’s retirement in 1990, the couple enjoyed international travel, visiting relatives across the United States, and connecting with her close network of Watchung friends. She enjoyed spending winters in Pompano Beach Florida until 2016. She remained close with her five siblings and their families throughout her life.
Florence is survived by her three sons and their wives/partners Robert and Lisa Gatesy, Stephen Gatesy and Maryann Davis, and John Gatesy and Cheryl Hayashi; four grandchildren, one step grandchild, and three great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Katherine Maurer, her husband Arthur Gatesy, and her siblings Harry Maurer Jr., Robert Maurer, Regina (Dox) Maurer, Frederick Maurer, and Catherine (Hood) Maurer.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Bartholomew’s at a later date
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.myers-reed.com.
