Dorothy Ann (Dot) Endicott Cates passed away July 10, 2012 in Topeka, KS. She was born Aug. 5, 1916, in Clay County, MO, and lived in that area until recent years. She often commented that she was lucky to have spent her life in Liberty. Dot was a descendant of several of Clay and Platte counties' oldest families. Her mother, Bessie Cameron Endicott, descended from Judge Elisha Cameron, for whom the city of Cameron, MO, is named. The Endicotts were descendants of John Endecott, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Other Clay County area ancestors included the Minter, Samples, Stone, Young and Younger families. Dorothy graduated from Liberty High School and attended William Jewell College. As a child and young adult, she was especially close to her uncle, Dr. William L. Wysong, who served as Clay County coroner in the 1920s. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she had served as secretary/treasurer of the women's association. She was a founder and 70-year member of a bridge club in Liberty. She enjoyed doing things for others and activities such as golf and crafting. She married James E. Cates on May 16, 1942. They had an active social life as founding members of the Carousel Dance Club and of Liberty Hills Country Club, where Dorothy had served as club secretary. Jim preceded her in death September 1, 2010. Also preceding her in death were her two brothers, Bob and Bill Endicott. Survivors include her son, Jim Cates, Topeka; daughters-in-law Jane Benson- Cates, Foley, Ala., and Nancy Zimmerli- Cates, Topeka; grandson, Matt Cates, Manhattan, KS; granddaughter, Meri Jane McNeece and her husband, Rob, St. Peters, MO; and two great-grandsons, Jesse James Cates, St. Peters, MO, and Ryan Matthew Cates, Manhattan, KS. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, at Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin, Liberty, Mo. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at Glenridge Cemetery, Liberty. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church building fund. Arrangments: Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home,D. W. Newcomer's Sons Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, Crematories.