Ann Gates O'Toole

Minneapolis, MN – Ann (Squier) Gates O’Toole (nee: Gates)

Ann Gates O’Toole was born December 24, 1943, in Monson, Massachusetts, and passed away

in her home in Minneapolis surrounded by her caregivers and family on May 22, 2026. She is

survived by her daughter Rachel Sarah O’Toole and daughter-in-law Ann M. Kakaliouras, son

Phillip Gates O’Toole and daughter-in-law Elissa Meyer, granddaughters Graciela-Elena

Marjorie Rosa Ferderer and Martha (husband Dylan) Chapin and family, and brother Stephen

McConnell Gates and family. Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Phillip Howe Gates and

Mary Squier Gates, her sister Sarah Nash Gates, and her beloved husband Thomas Elmer

O’Toole.

Ann was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the 1980s and she was a relentless disability

advocate. In her last years, she was accompanied by generous, funny, and devoted caregivers –

Audrey, Baki, Crysta, Jayne, Martha -- who helped Ann execute her lists and seek out the best

bún in South Minneapolis and St. Paul. A dedicated DFL precinct delegate, renowned green

thumb, and devotee of chocolate ice cream, Ann was happiest on her deck or at her table as she

welcomed all into her home, including her oldest friends and her new friends from grief group!

Ann graduated from Russell Sage College in 1965 and came to the University of Minnesota to

study biochemistry. In 1967, she married the love of her life Tom O’Toole. She worked in the

laboratory of and published with Dr. Nelson Goldberg of the University of Minnesota and in the

1980s returned as his office manager. Together with Tom, Rachel, and Phillip, she moved to

Cullowhee, North Carolina and continued her social activism especially with the League of

Women’s Voters. She worked in the non-profit sector in North Carolina and Minnesota and was

most proud of her organizing work with AFSCME in the early 1990s. She traveled with Tom

(and the kids) to the Central African Republic and around the world on Semester At Sea (with

her mother Mary), but her favorite adventures included searching for the best 3.2 bar in South

Minneapolis with Tom. She will be missed by her friends, family, and neighbors for her warm

hugs, her great cooking, her generous acceptance, and the way we could all make her laugh.

Please contact the family for information about a memorial service.