GATES, Teresa Diane – 54 of Wilmot, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in Hamilton, ON, she was a daughter of the late Merrill and Marian (Crouse) Gates. Teresa moved to Nova Scotia in 1974 to a little one-bedroom house in the backyard of her grandparents in Wilmot. Teresa hated Mondays, but she loved her Fridays. She loved playing cards (45's and skip-bo) and spent many evenings doing so at home and during her stay at Orchard Villa, in Berwick, NS. She loved camping in her younger years and had a great trip to Bangor with her cousin/best friend, Linda. Teresa loved animals, especially her rottweiler, Tank aka "Hamburger Head". Her niece Kendra was her pride and joy. If you were to ask Teresa what her best birthday present ever was, she would tell you it was the birth of her niece.  Teresa's birthday was December 11 and Kendra was born December 8. Surviving are her sister, Lisa Gates, Wilmot; niece, Kendra Specht (Bobby), Wilmot; cousins, Maxwell (Roselene) Crouse, Fall River; Linda Crouse, Lower Sackville; Raymond (Joanne), Salmon River; Aunt, Penny Gates, Aylesford; best friends, Kelly Stoddart and Kelly West, (they were affectionately known to Teresa as the two crazy Kelly's), and dear friend Wendy. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her uncles, Donald, Roy, Freddy and Carl; Aunts, Arlene, Margie, Janet and Mary.  In keeping with Teresa's wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, December 27, 2024, in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, Middleton, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Donations in memory may be made to the Kings County SPCA. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com