Mary Byrne Gates, a long-time manager of new business development for Adam & Eve, died June 2 at UNC Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Gates is survived by her two sons, William Kent Gates and Matthew Byrne Gates, and seven brothers and sisters. She was predeceased by her former husband of eight years, Harold Kent Gates.
Gates was born in 1957 in Richmond, Va., where she grew up before moving away to attend Emerson College in Boston, and then relocating to Chapel Hill to complete her studies at the University of North Carolina.
Gates spent over 25 years at Adam & Eve as the manager of new business development. After a successful career there, she became the Facilitator of Lay Ministry at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Gates," said California Exotic Novelties President, Susan Colvin. "Mary was incredibly talented...great to work with and a wonderful friend."
"I will truly miss her terrific sense of humor."
“Mary set the bar for decency and ethics in our business,” said Christian Mann of Metro. “There was a time when she was one of the most influential people in the industry, controlling the purchasing decisions for Adam & Eve and its affiliated companies. Despite this, she never played that card. Instead, she dealt with integrity and fairness, always allowing both sides to profit.”
“Doing business with Mary was a pleasure,” continued Mann. “She also had a fantastic sense of humor. I enjoyed making her laugh and occasionally blush. She was a great person.”
Gates was very generous, giving freely to family, friends and her community. She was actively involved in the AIDS Care House and did fundraising for the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) and research for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma at the University of Virginia.
"Mary and I knew each other for a very long time, and our families were good friends as well," said Al Bloom, marketing manager for California Exotics Novelties. "She was a very loving person, and a straight shooter. When Mary made a deal with you, it was a handshake and a deal, and this industry needs more people like her."
Bloom went on to say that he and Gates were diagnosed with cancer at virtually the same time. "We became a support system for each other," he explained.
A visitation will be held for Gates at the Bethel Baptist Church, Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road, in Chapel Hill, N.C. from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Burial will be in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flower are welcome, or contributions may be made to NORD (www.nord.org), specifically designated for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.
