Rosemarie Anna Gates

Rosemarie Anna Gates, 87, of Locust, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 29, 2025.

Born on June 4, 1938, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Rosemarie was the daughter of the late Oswald Arno Hofmann and Maria Anna Quickert Hofmann. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Richard Hofmann of Winter Park, Florida.

Rosemarie married her high school sweetheart, George Gates, on November 29th, 1958 in Athens, New York. She graduated from Columbia Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1959, where she was honored as “Best Bedside Nurse” and for “Greatest Proficiency in Obstetrical Nursing.” Her well-rounded career spanned decades and settings as a registered nurse-caring for patients in the newborn nursery of St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York; spending her summers as camp nurse for the Girl Scouts in Westchester County, New York; serving as school nurse at St. Peter’s School in Hyde Park, New York; working in a general practitioner’s office, and, finally, retiring at age 62 after a 16-year tenure as an obstetric nurse with Bradford Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Although nursing was her calling, Rosemarie’s greatest joy was her family. She and George raised three children in Hyde Park, New York, before moving to Mint Hill, North Carolina, in 1978. Deeply devoted to those she loved, she rarely missed a family gathering and cherished trips both near and far, including memorable times in Florida, Canada, and Germany. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she will forever be “Oma,” “Sweetie Pie,” and “Omama.” Rosemarie was a faithful member of Morning Star Lutheran Church in Matthews, North Carolina, where she sang in the choir and took part in the women’s WELCA Ruth Circle and AM Stars Adult Ministry.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, George Gates Sr. of Locust; her brother, Roy Hofmann and wife Harriet of Carrollton, Texas; her children: George Gates Jr. and wife Louann of Gastonia; Sherri Gates and wife Tess Lambeth of Midland; and Heidi Hedrick and husband Bill of Stanfield; seven grandchildren: Joseph Gates, Michael Winstead Jr., Kevin Gates, Maria Evans, Matthew Winstead, Jamie Hedrick, and Jessica Hedrick; and nine great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 8, October, 2025, at The Chapel at Morning Star, 12900 Idlewild Rd, Matthews, NC 28105. Family will receive friends and guests at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel fellowship hall. Pastor John Mouritsen will officiate. Rosemarie will be laid to rest in the chapel columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian Appalachian Project (https://www.christianapp.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/honor-memorial-gifts).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Gates family.