Mary Z. Cates

Mary Z. Cates, 89, of Tavares, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021. Born in Deland, Florida, she graduated from Deland High School class of 1949. For most of her life, Mary lived in the Central Florida area, moving to Lake County in 1971. Mary was the children's librarian for the Tavares Library for many years. She was a lifelong Catholic, serving as an Eucharistic Minister for both St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Eustis and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora. She volunteered with the St. Patrick’s King’s Daughters Thrift Store and handmade many hundreds of rosaries which were sent to overseas missions. Mary served her country in the US Air Force during Korea. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Toni) Cates, Tavares, FL, Clinton (Vicky) Cates, Haughton, LA, Matthew (Bonnie) Cates, Mount Dora, FL; daughter, Mary (Dave) Montez, Tavares, FL; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of over 30 years Julius L. Cates and her youngest son, Patrick A. Cates. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow at Tavares Cemetery, Tavares. The family will receive friends at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Chapel, Eustis on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association, 851 Outer Road, Orlando, FL 32814. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.