Obituary of Pamela René Gates

Pamela René Gates, 66, of Denver, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

She is survived by her husband Mark Brian Trubowitz; Son Brian (Sloane Kohnstamm) Alexander Gates Trubowitz; Daughter Joelle (Samuel Musler) Hope Gates Trubowitz; and brother Philip Marcus Gates.

Pamela is preceded in death by her two sisters Lorretta Mae and Donella Kae Gates.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Karis Community in Denver, Naturally Colorado &/or charity of your choice.

“Hello, Beautiful” Eulogy for a mother who lived life to the fullest and brought joy to everyone she knew.

“Hello, Beautiful” 

My mom, Pamela René Gates, died this past week. I have had the peculiar juxtaposition of thinking about my mom’s eulogy many times over the past 25+ years, while she was still alive, starting at a young age. I had always wondered how I could capture her infectious spirit in radiant essence in just a few short words. Here is my attempt.

My mom embodied many facets; she was a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, Aunty, dentist, gardener, mahjong connoisseur, artist, and so much more. But what made sweet Pammy so unique and special was shown through her boundless positivity and unwavering joy of life. Regardless of being dealt what is arguably the worst hand of cards — cancer diagnoses, congestive heart failure, issues breathing — she continued to remain a positive and fervent lover of life, to the point that it was unclear to outsiders that she was even sick.

The simplest and purest example that I have, and often think about, is my mom’s daily positive affirmation. She would say, “Hello, Beautiful,” to herself in the mirror first thing in the morning (really, it was the afternoon or late evening, when she actually got up for the day… but hey, sleep and optimism kept her alive a lot longer!).

“Hello Beautiful” is an affirmation that, in my mind, captures her endless positivity. No matter what hell her body was putting her through that day, she was so happy to be alive for another day, and was so grateful to be here. That positivity and joy radiated in everything she did and everyone she met in life. She was so present and accepting with everyone she interacted with, and whoever she was with that day caught on to her infectious zest for life; it was truly contagious. She wanted to celebrate whatever she was doing with whoever she was with. That is why being a dentist was such an essential part of her life; she wanted to help others smile.

“Hello, Beautiful” is such a short and simple phrase that represents how she appreciated the little things in life and never took anything for granted. Many times, on walks, she would want to literally stop and always smell the roses. People say that proverb commonly, but she actually stopped to smell whatever flower she passed, wave, and say hi to the folks who tended to the garden. And it shifted everything. She appreciated all of the small moments in life, even if it slowed her down… And that is why she was late to everything. I mean, seriously, we had to start telling her that events were an hour or two earlier than they actually were just to get her there on time. She would always say, “It’s okay honey,” or “don’t worry, it’ll be just another 10 minutes,” and continue to enjoy her cup of tea and eat her breakfast, while the rest of the family frantically tried to get ready, or was sitting in the car waiting for her.

“Hello, Beautiful” is a mantra that I want to continue to incorporate into my life. I hope to embody that optimistic outlook, no matter what the circumstances may be, find joy in the simple things, bring a smile to those I meet, and celebrate the big and small things.

And with all of that, it is now my turn to say,

“Goodbye, Beautiful”

P.S. I’m looking forward to meeting you in the next lifetime, and I pray that you have the healthiest body next time. I have dreams that you’ll be a tall Olympic athlete who travels the world.