CHICOPEE – Shirley P. (Senecal) Gates, 89, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, June 26, 2023. She passed into Eternal Life at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Holyoke on March 15, 1934, the beloved daughter of the late Ovila and Emelie (Boudreau) Senecal. She was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was a cashier for Shop Rite on Boston Road in Springfield and Memorial Drive in Chicopee and previously worked as a telephone operator for New England Telephone Company in Springfield. She was a member of the Fairview Golden Age Club in Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Clarence W. “Johnny” Gates, Jr. who was Called Home on January 29, 2000. They were married at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee on April 16, 1955 and were blessed with over 44 years of happiness together. She leaves her three loving children, Linda D. Gates, John J. Gates and his wife, Deborah, and Laurie A. Gates, all of Chicopee; her two cherished grandchildren, Allison and Zachary Gates; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her dear sister, Yvette Gould and her husband, Earl. Her funeral and burial will be private. Her funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101-6307. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com