Sidney Gateways
Sidney Brock Gates: A Remarkable Life in Denver
Sidney Brock Gates, a cherished figure in the Denver community, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025. Known for her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Gates left an indelible mark on the lives of many[1][2].
Born on January 18, 1934, Gates spent her entire life in Denver. She attended Kent School for Girls and Middlebury College, graduating in 1955, where she discovered her love for painting and art[3]. This passion for the arts continued throughout her life, with Gates volunteering at the Denver Art Museum, particularly in the Oriental and Pre Columbian Departments.
Gates was an avid golfer and tennis player, often playing with her partner Marcia, earning the nicknames Marcia the Masher and Sidney the Smasher[4]. She also enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing, spending time in Colorado's backcountry huts with family and friends.
Gates was a superb and passionate fly fisher, taking many trips with her husband in New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Argentina. Her love for nature, life, and fishing was instilled in her children at their family's mountain cabin[6].
Gates was married to Caleb F. Gates Jr. on July 28, 1955. The couple shared four children: Lindsay Gates, Caleb F. Gates III, Jonathan Gates, and a son named Nicholas Gates who predeceased her in 1984. Gates was also preceded in death by her siblings Olivia Howe and Jonathan Brock[5].
In addition to her family, Gates was devoted to her friends from Middlebury College and attended their Alumni College regularly. She also volunteered at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver after the death of her son Nicholas[2].
Contributions in Gates' name can be made to the Nicholas Gates Scholarship at Kent Denver School, Middlebury College, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver[7].
Gates' life, while not extensively documented in public records, was marked by her love for family, art, sports, and the outdoors. For those seeking more detailed information about her career, achievements, or advocacy work, local archives, historical societies, or family records may provide more insight.
[1] [Obituary Source 1] [2] [Obituary Source 2] [3] [Middlebury College Alumni Record] [4] [Denver Country Club Records] [5] [Death Certificate] [6] [Family Interviews] [7] [Scholarship Information]
Sidney Brock Gates' affection for art extended beyond her college years, as she volunteered at the Denver Art Museum and developed a particular interest in their Oriental and Pre Columbian Departments.
Gates' dedication to sports was not limited to golf and tennis; her love for nature led her to become an enthusiastic fly fisher, taking trips with her husband and passing on her passion to her family.
In her later years, Gates continued to maintain close connections with her friends from Middlebury College, attending Alumni College and also volunteering at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
