Zina Zander Gates

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. — Anonymous

Zina Zander Gates was born to this world April 6, 1965. She was born to Odessa Gates in Hayti, Missouri and was raised by her grandmother, Lizzie Allen, and her step-grandfather, David Allen, in Wardell, Missouri. Zina had three uncles (RC, David, and Lacey) who were like her big brothers, and since she was the eldest grandchild, she took great pride in overseeing her little cousins as they entered the family picture. Zina graduated from North Pemiscot High School in 1983 where she served as Salutatorian to her senior class.

Growing up in the country of Southeast Missouri (Bootheel), Zina learned survival skills and a love for the country lifestyle which she continued to practice. She learned how to grow her own food, can her produce, process meat, cook, and fish. Zina was a real fisherman, collecting fishing poles and reels for the sport and true love of fishing that she was taught by Grandpa David. Zina was also the proud keeper of her grandmother’s secret recipes, and she would always spread the love with a taste when she shipped treats at the holidays or for events. This would be her way of reminding us of Grandma Lizzie during those special occasions, especially the holidays. A large part of Zina’s survival was to enjoy comedy and express her sense of humor in any conversation. Her intelligence gave her an opportunity to view most people as funny subjects and she could ease any situation with her jovial style. These skills stayed with her wherever she moved and through every relationship. Everyone was able to benefit from Zina’s passion for nostalgia and her authenticity to stay true to her familial country roots.

Once Zina decided to remove herself from the Bootheel, she would not return. She found herself searching for her next home away from home in St. Louis, Missouri where she worked at a local casino calibrating the slot machines, attended school to become a DJ, and worked as a bartender. Eventually she landed a job as an insurance agent and obtained an apartment along with the purchase of her first car that she has to this day (Geo Metro – stick shift).

Zina’s next move in 2002 took her out of the Midwest and she landed in Beaverton, Oregon where she became an employee of Intel. She worked for Intel for 20 years where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master of Science in Information Technology, and multiple certifications to continue working in the tech industry. She bought a home and continued to enjoy the outdoors with her friends while also traveling to visit other countries and tropical islands. Zina shared her success with family and especially Grandma Lizzie whom she brought to Beaverton to live with her. Zina’s motivation for travel was to show Grandma Lizzie life outside of the Bootheel and she became a travel companion for Zina until her final day May 6, 2018 at 97 years of age. Zina was an amazing caretaker for Grandma Lizzie and therefore losing her was the loss of Zina’s best friend, roommate, comfort, and love. Their lives were so intertwined that her grandmother (mother) decided on her death to be cremated, with the agreement between the two of them that once Zina passed their ashes would be blended together, just as they had been since the day of Zina’s birth. Truly, inseparable! Family and friends became increasingly important to Zina to help her sustain. During the COVID pandemic of 2020, Zina showcased another hidden talent of sewing (learned from Grandma Lizzie) by creating and sending masks to family and friends to keep them safe and remain in touch.

Zina departed from us too soon when she was found to have passed in her home on May 16, 2022. She was preceded in death by her grandmother (Lizzie Allen), step-grandfather (David Allen), mother (Odessa Gates), and cousin (Eric Allen). Zina is survived by her uncles: RC Gates (Gaytel); David Allen (Jobina); Lacey Allen (Patricia); and many cousins along with friends who loved and will greatly miss her.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Zina’s memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation https://Oregon.wish.org/donate (choose to make this an honor / memorial gift to designate it for Zina).

Services will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 12:00pm PT at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary (6801 SW Sunset Hwy.; Portland, OR 97225). Services will also be streamed at https://m.facebook.com/FinleySunsetHills/

The family would like to express gratitude for everyone’s generosity and kindness during this difficult time. Your presence is appreciated.