She is survived by her four children, Stephen, Kathryn Kern (Paul), Elizabeth Dailey (Kirby), and David (Carole); fourteen grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren; and by her three sisters, Claudia Bushman (Richard), Paulie Hutchings (Gib), and Bonnie Goodliffe (Glade). She was born to Serge James Lauper and Jean Vernon Gordon. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Crawford Gates, her daughter-in-law, Nancy Bliss Gates, and her grandson, Shepard Chamberlain Gates.
Georgia was born in Oakland, California in 1931 and was reared in San Francisco, where she attended primary and secondary school. During her high school and college years, she became an outstanding pianist and accompanist, cultivating a lifelong interest and proficiency in music. She attended Brigham Young University for two years and then returned to San Francisco where she began performing in a five-person singing group known as The Westwinds. This group performed in live performances as well as on radio and on television when it was in its infancy.
Georgia became acquainted with her husband-to-be when he was visiting San Francisco from Utah. Crawford encouraged her to return to BYU in the fall; she demurred, having a wonderful time singing with The Westwinds. Their long-distance romance, which included letters and expensive long distance telephone calls, progressed to a proposal over the phone, a long distance engagement, and a December wedding.
Georgia and Crawford set up housekeeping in Provo, Utah, where they lived for thirteen years. Women groups, clubs, friends and church activities kept her busy while her family grew to six with the birth of her four children. In 1966 the family moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, where Crawford continued his music career and Georgia continued to be involved in rearing their family, and contributing in the community. Georgia belonged to a number of social groups and the Beloit Symphony Guild and Rockford, IL Symphony Guild, served as the Beloit Symphony Librarian, taught piano lessons, accompanied many other musicians, and accepted responsibilities in the Church including more than a dozen years as stake Relief Society president. She and Crawford traveled frequently, visited family and friends in the US and abroad, and attended and participated in many musical and arts events.
In 1999, Crawford and Georgia left Wisconsin after 34 years and moved to Salt Lake City, UT. They renewed their friendships from their Provo days and continued to make contributions to the community wherever they lived. Georgia became a docent at the Salt Lake City Library when it opened, and gave tours and volunteered during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. She was always active in her local ward and filled numerous callings over many years.
Georgia was gracious, and elegant in a quiet and reserved manner. She retained a wide circle of friends and worked hard to maintain a close relationship with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew her.
The viewing will be held on Friday, January 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Wasatch Hills Ward Chapel at 2255 South Wasatch Drive, SLC, UT 84109.
Funeral services will be held on January 27, at 11:00 am, in the same building
