It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nicole Joanne Gates, age 33, of Lowell, OR formerly of Brownsville, OR. Passed away on December 14, 2021.

Nicole was born on July 28, 1988, to Mitch and Carla (Dodd) Gates in Albany, Or. She attended school at East Linn Christian Academy Lebanon, Central Linn School Halsey, and graduating from South Albany High School in 2006. Nicole furthered her education at Linn Benton Comm College and Lane Comm College.

Nicole loved people and being around family and friends when she was younger. She loved animals, traveling to new places, the ocean, and the mountains.  She always enjoyed visiting with people much older than herself and could hold a conversation with adults even as a small child. Adults were always amazed at Nicole's intelligence and her vocabulary. Always a lover of knowledge, nature and simplest pleasures in life brought her joy. She would love to hike in the woods with friends exploring the beauty around her. This brought her to her employment the last few years at nurseries where she enjoyed working with plants. Her knowledge of plants and how to care for them was amazing! She could design beautiful arrangements from items you would not normally think of using.

Anyone that knew Nicole was touched by her kind, sweet spirit and infectious smile and sweet laugh that would brighten your day. As her disorder took a greater hold on her life, she became much more withdrawn and did not enjoy being around many people at one time. Although she loved her family and friends very much, she shied away from functions to avoid too many people. She did find much joy in helping at her brother Nicholas and Athena's wedding in October 2019. She loved them both so much and was so happy to have Athena as a sister-in-law.

Nicole was a gift to us and many others. Her life impacted and touched many and we will always remember the life she lived, the love she shared and the difference she made in our lives. We take comfort in knowing that she is with her heavenly Father, completely healed and at peace.

Nicole was preceded in death by her Grandpa Glenn and Grandma Carol Gates, and Grandpa Alden Dodd. She is survived by her parents Mitch (Brenda) Gates, and Carla (Troy) Pearce; brother Nicholas (Athena) Gates; stepbrother Zachary (Anna) Pearce and their children Ella, Finley, and Levi; stepbrother Alex Pearce; grandma Sara Dodd; and step grandparents Eldon and Barbara Pearce; uncles Rikki Gates, Scott Gates, and Al (Melissa) Dodd; and Aunt Kelly (Steve) Becker.

A private celebration of life was held along with a committal at Sandridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI of Lane County.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home handled the arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com).