Agnes Gaitens

Agnes Gaitens, born on March 13, 1941, in Glasgow, Scotland, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, at the age of 84, at her daughter’s home in Chesterfield Twshp. She was the cherished daughter of the late David McDonald and the late Mary (nee: Lavery) McDonald.

At the age of 13, Agnes embarked on a life-changing journey across the Atlantic, traveling by ship to New York with her mother and baby sister Margaret settling in Detroit where her father awaited. She attended Saint Gabriel’s School graduating with the Class of 1958. After high school, Agnes and her friends often attended the Saint Andrews dance hall—where fate introduced her to the love of her life, Joseph Gaitens. The two were married on November 7, 1964, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Detroit, beginning a devoted marriage full of laughter, love and many a water fight, that lasted a lifetime until Joseph’s passing in 2009.

In 1967, Agnes and Joe built their family home in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where they lovingly raised their three daughters (and many of their daughters friends too!) Agnes was a hardworking, dedicated woman who built a career in the financial field. She worked as a secretary for the President of National Bank of Detroit, bookkeeper/managed & waitressed for a time-employing many a teenager on their first job, ending her career with Bloomfield Savings & Loan Mortgage Company. However, her most important job title was always “mom & grandma” Agnes later proudly became a United States citizen, embracing the country she had made her home since childhood, although her heart still belonged to Scotland.

Agnes and Joe treasured their summers at their cottage on Wiggins Lake in Gladwin, where they created countless memories of bonfires while watching the stars, fishing and wishing wells. For their grandchildren, those summers were magical—each grandchild spent a special week alone with their grandparents, a tradition that became a hallmark of their family.

Their home in Sterling Heights was fondly known as “the house to go to.” Christmas Day celebrations became legendary—after gifts and dinner, the doors opened to friends, neighbors, and eventually the families of their daughters’ childhood friends. Neil Diamond on the stereo, a game of darts and even a cocktail or two… Laughter filled the home for decades, creating traditions that grew right along with the family and extended family they cherished.

After selling the home in Sterling Heights, Agnes and Joe began a new chapter in Naples, Florida, where they continued hosting gatherings, celebrating friendships, enjoying the warmth of the sun, each other’s company and their new love of block parties. Those days made them feel young again, surrounded by new friends they loved.

Agnes enjoyed knitting, gardening, and caring for her home, but her greatest joy came from being a grandmother. Baking with her grandchildren was one of her life’s sweetest pleasures, and she poured love into every moment shared with them, never to tired for a school field trip, making a pb&j, or single handily making breakfast for anyone who showed up at the cottage table, cheering her on!

She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph, his forever “girlfriend”, Loving mother of Michelle (Jim) Hartfield, Stephanie, and Kathleen. Devoted grandmother of Derek (Hannah), Brenden, and Shannon (Dylan) Woodside. Cherished great-grandmother of Willa Woodside. Dear sister and best friend of Margaret McDonald and the late Lynda Andrews. Sister-in-law of Annie Parke, and the late James Gaitens and the late George Gaitens. Special aunt of Karen (Steven) Haggerty and Paula (Gerard) Smith. Treasured Nana of Meghan (Jason) Pierce & family, Michael Haggerty and Aunt to Erin and Gerard Smith. She is also survived by many loving family members in Scotland, friends and friends who became family, lives she touched deeply.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 11:00am until the time of her Memorial Service at 1:00pm, at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road (at Common Road), Warren.

Agnes will be remembered for her warmth, her generosity, her spirited personality, the twinkle in her eyes, big laugh and her unwavering devotion to her family. Her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Please share memories at her guest book below.