RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Mary Elizabeth Weingates, age 59, of Walnut Street, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 16, 2013 in her home. She was born in Cooperstown, daughter of the late Leo and Laura Solomon Sdrewski. A lifelong Richfield Springs resident she was a graduate of Richfield Springs Central School. She then attended Mohawk Valley Community College and continued her education at SUNY Plattsburg, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Biology.She furthered her education receiving her Masters degree in education from Northeastern University. On September 3, 1984 she was united in marriage with Gary V. Weingates in Troy. Mary had worked as a high school science teacher for twenty years.Thepast fourteen years as a high school science teacher at Richfield Springs Central School. She had a strong faith in God and was a communicant of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Richfield Springs. Mrs. Weingates life revolved around her family.She was a dedicated mother whose children always came first.She was involved in many school activities and could always be counted on the chaperone school events. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading and spending time at the beach. She was the best friend a person could hope for and loved spending time with her many friends. To all who knew her, they will always remember a warm, caring and helpful lady with a great sense of humor and her unforgettable smile. She will be truly missed. Surviving are her husband, Gary, a son Gary Martin of Richfield Springs, two daughters, Lisa Marie and Laura Mae Weingates both of Raleigh, NC, two sisters, Donna Fenton and her husband Robert of Plano, TX, Cynthia Sdrewski, of Vienna, VA, a nephew Robert Fenton, two cousins, Ronald Duga and his wife JoAnn of Ilion, Joan Burditt and her husband Robert of Richfield Springs along with several aunts, uncles and cousins A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the Richfield Springs High School gymnasium. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donation to the Mary Weingates Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Richfield Springs Central School, PO Box 631, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.