Dr. Francine Gates

Dr. Francine Gates was born June 15, 1935, in Tulsa, to Lloyd Wilder Buchanan and Mamie Leona Dotson Buchanan. She passed away at her home in Tulsa on January 19, 2024, at the age of 88. She married Charles Wendell Gates on July 23, 1954, in Tulsa, and they were married for 64 years.

Mom entered college at the age of 35 and received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Kansas Wesleyan University, followed by her master's in psychology from the University of Tulsa. After working at Tulsa Job Corp for eight years, she decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a psychologist. She enrolled again at TU and in 1985, at the age of 50, she received her doctorate in psychology. She was in private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist until she retired.

Mom was preceded in death by her sister Charlene Meadows, her parents, and her husband. She is survived by their three daughters: Brenda Gates, Ellen Ayers (and husband John), and Susan Gates (and husband Don Kahl); their Bosnian son, Senad Divanovic (and his wife Allison); former son-in-law, Mark McGee; and granddaughter, Laura McGee.

Mom enjoyed music and books, playing cards, her nightly gin and tonic, the mountains and the oceans, OSU sporting events, fresh air from an open window, and traveling with Dad all over the world. She especially enjoyed their annual visits to Destin, Florida, where we plan to spread their ashes.

We will be forever grateful to her caregivers. Without them, Mom would have been unable to remain in her home. Thank you to Freddie Hannon, Vallary Rodgers, Vanessa Adoh, Janet Mansker, Rena Tate, and Nanette Allen. We also thank Griswold Home Care, Seasons Hospice, and her nurses, Aryanna and Carmelita, for their dedicated care of Mom.

No services are planned.