Anne Elizabeth Gates Bartow
Anne Elizabeth Gates Bartow, 73, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Wallingford, Pa., died at home surrounded by her family Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, after courageously battling Alzheimer’s for eight years.
So many who knew Anne have shared what we, her close family, also cherish about her - that she was a beautiful, intelligent, funny and kind daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. Anne noticed and appreciated the beauty in the world, and lived her life as a natural teacher and in service of others, creating happy, memorable experiences for those around her.
Anne was born in Chester, Pa., on May 7, 1945, to Frances (Shoop) and Ralph Gates. She spent a happy childhood in Chester and Wallingford, and graduated from Nether Providence High School in 1963.
Anne grew to experience and love many things that she passed onto her own family: a deep connection to music and singing, an inquisitive nature that underpinned her appreciation of the outdoors and traveling, and great love of literature.
Anne met Denny, her partner of 52 years, on the first day of college at West Chester State University in 1963. Anne and Denny were a team and fixture at West Chester from that day, and Anne channeled her love of literature into her studies, graduating with a B.S. in English (1967), earning a M.S. in library science from Villanova University (1969), and then working as school librarian at Interboro Senior H.S.
Anne and Denny were married Nov. 19, 1963, raised their family in Wallingford, and were active members of Christ United Methodist Church, where they married. She helped found the church library, was its librarian for many years, and member of the choir and other church organizations.
Anne nurtured and supported so many aspects of her family’s pursuits and interests. When her daughters were young, she took on roles as PTO leader and class mom, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school and youth leader. Her own interests were seeds planted in her daughters who went on to careers related to teaching, writing and public education. Always supportive of one another, Anne was Denny’s biggest champion as he pursued interests in science, medicine and education.
Perhaps one of Anne’s greatest legacies is how she taught by example. Anne possessed a resilience, strength of character and commitment to others that she brought to her life – especially evident in the way she supported others through struggles and loss. She faced her Alzheimer’s diagnosis with the same quiet strength we had always seen in her, and we sought our best to provide back to her a reflection of the love and support she had so freely given.
Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Ralph Gates, and beloved niece, Phyllis Jeanne Sach.
Anne is survived by husband, Dennis H. Bartow of Bethany Beach, De., daughter Amy Bartow-Melia (Greg) of Falls Church, Va., daughter Margaret (Meg) Bartow Dufour (Christopher) of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren Francesca Bartow Melia and Marguerite Bartow Melia; sister Jeanne Sach (Frederick) of Brookhaven, Pa.; and many close family and friends whom she loved.
A Celebration of Anne’s Life will take place Friday, Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m., at Christ United Methodist Church (Brookhaven) followed by a reception at Kings Mills (Media). A private interment will precede the service.
We wish to acknowledge the staff at Harrison House (Georgetown) and Delaware Hospice for their loving care of Anne.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the South Coastal Library (https://southcoastal.lib. de.us/); Christ United Methodist Church (http://www. christumcbrookhaven. com/); or Alzheimer’s Foundation of Delaware Valley (https://www.alz.org/delval).
Arrangements by the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www. melsonfuneralservices.com