The community lost one of its most highly esteemed citizens with the death last Wednesday (Mar 29, 1950) at her home 272 W 4th St of Mrs Mary Wilhelmina (Barrow)Cates, 76, who had been a resident of the North Shore for 47 years. Born in Brantford, Ont. Mrs. Cates came to this province in 1893 and in 1895 married Capt Charles H. Cates, founder of the tugboat firm of C.H. Cates & Sons Ltd. Following a few years residence in Vancouver Capt and Mrs. Cates made their home in Moodyville in 1903. Mrs. Cates was fond of reminiscing and she liked to recall that "we liked Moodyville - it was a nice little community with about 6 families. It was a fine place for children, with no dangers to cope with." In 1905 Mrs. Cates moved to North Vancouver and, with her husband, first occupied a home on West Esplanade. In 1906, the family residence was established at 266 W 4th Street where Mrs. Cates commented "I always liked this community. Pete Larson's grounds in front of Hotel North Vancouver were lovely and provided an ideal spot for children to play and swim." She also recalled that on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Larson would cater to big picnics and people enjoyed the barbeques, the entertainment and the music." Many years ago, Mrs. Cates used to enjoy horse and buggy rides to West Vancouver with her husband who was then building a pier in that municipality. Having resided here for close to five decades, Mrs, Cates was naturally conversant with all of this community's major developments down through the years. She remembered the all-important occasion when North Vancouver's first streetcar, bedecked in flags and bunting, made its first trip up the steep Lonsdale grade. She also recalled that when she and her husband first made their home on West Esplanade their was no electricity for domestic purposes. In all the years she resided here Mrs. Cates was always a particular friend of the community's young folk. She enjoyed life immensely with her family and friends. Surviving are 3 sons, Hon. John H. Cates, Ald. C.W. Cates and Capt. J.F. Cates; 4 daughters, Mrs. E. Ward, Crescent Beach; Mrs. M. Wallace, Vancouver and Mrs. Theresa Stevenson and Mrs. W. Mitchell, here; 2 brothers, St Clair Barrow and Henry Barrow, here, and a sister-in-law Mrs. Lillian Turner, in Vancouver. Funeral services conducted in St Edmund's church and interment in the family plot, North Vancouver Cemetery.
Source: North Shore Press Fri, Mar 31, 1950.