Elizabeth Roth

Elizabeth Gatti-Roth (April 08, 1932 – February 18, 2022) Elizabeth Gatti came into this world on April 8, 1932. Her parents, Michele Vincent Gatti I and Giovaninni Gatti came to America from Italy in the 1920's and settled in Dawson, NM - a coal mining camp, where Mother was born. Her nuclear family included three of my Uncles (William, John and Michele Vincent II) and she also grew up close with her younger cousin Sally Brown. When Dodge Phelps closed the Dawson mine in 1950 the family relocated to Rock Springs, Wyoming. Mother graduated high school in the class of 1951 and subsequently married my Dad, Henry Roth on December 30, 1955. They lived at various places including Haxtun, CO, Steamboat Springs, CO, Fort Collins, CO, Cheyenne, WY, Colorado Springs, CO, Walsh, CO and Waterloo, IA. In the 1970's and 1980's Mother did a lot of factory work in Colorado: Aqua Tec where she made Water Pik dental cleaners and Hewlett Packard where she etched wafers in the Clean Room and worked with other microelectronics components. The crown jewel of her accomplishment is the care, love and moral guidance she gave to us, her family by helping raise her two younger brothers in the 1950's and me my whole life starting in the 1960's. Mother was a fierce advocate for us all and if anyone dare hurt us she would weave a web of vitriol in three languages: English, Spanish and of course Italian. Some of the first non-English words I learned can’t be said in front of everyone. Mother and Dad had a strong relationship and marriage. Both entered the Western Home in Cedar Falls, IA in 2016 and remained there until Dad passed away April 02, 2017 at age 95 and she passed away February 19, 2022 at age 89 from Alzheimer’s dementia. She is survived by myself, her son, Michele Roth, her youngest Brother Michele V Gatti II, niece Michele Gatti and nephews Michele V Gatti III and David Gatti, cousin Sally Brown, four grandchildren (Amanda Roth, Becca Friis, Meghan Roth and Sara Macie) and eight great grandchildren (Chelsea Wolfe, Chris Wolfe, Colton Wolfe, Meadow Wolfe, Cayden Friis, Harper Friis, Emma Roth and Ada Macie). Mother had a strong faith in the eternal life Jesus Christ gives and I have no doubt she is reunited with loved ones who preceded her in death (Dad Michele Vincent Gatti I, Mother Giovaninni Gatti, ne’e Capone, oldest brother William Gatti and younger brother John Gatti). I am sure she's making the best Italian spaghetti ever with Grandma now. The outpouring of care, love and support from her family and caregivers at the Western Home Community stand in testimony to a life well lived and it moved me to the core to see the reaction of seasoned caregivers to her passing as we played “I Can Only Imagine”. Salut! Mother you are home now. We lovingly bid farewell to one of our front row fans. We fiercely love you. Until we meet again.

Elizabeth Roth

April 8, 1932 - February 18, 2022