Constance Bates

Of Boxborough, Nov. 2, 2007, at the Mary Ann Morse Nursing Center in Natick. Wife of the late Richard Allan Bates, who died in 1963. Born & raised in Lansing, MI, she was the daughter of the late Peter & Martha (Jackson) Sumner. Connie was a 1937 graduate of Lansing Central High School & received a full scholarship to Northwestern University, graduating in 1941 with a B.A. Degree in English. She later went on to receive a Master's Degree in American & English Literature from Harvard University. A lover of literature & history, she worked many years at the Concord Public Library & previously at the Northwestern University Library & also for the Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals at Wellesley College. During retirement, Connie devoted much of her time to researching & writing the family genealogy, while always staying in touch wth her family & friends. She was predeceased by her sister Mildred Shafer of MI & her son-in-law Fred Sharis of CT. Connie is survived by her four children: Donald Bates & his wife Marjorie of Sudbury, Peter Bates & his wife Susan of Natick, Catherine Merullo & her husband Leonard of Ridgefield, CT & Margaret Sharis & her companion Bruce LaFlamme of West Suffield, CT. "Bama" will be dearly missed by her 6 grandchildren: Matt & Lisa Merullo, Rick & Greg Bates & Gavin & Ian Bates. Connie is also survived by 9 great grandchildren, 4 nieces & 1 nephew. The family is extremely grateful to the staff of the Mary Ann Morse Nursing Center for the wonderful care Connie received. Relatives & friends are invited to attend a Graveside Service at Linwood Cemetery, Route 20, Weston, MA Tuesday at 11 AM. A Memorial Service will held at a later date. Visiting hours omitted. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Connie's name to the New England Historical & Genealogy Society, 101 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116; The Concord Public Library, 129 Main St., Concord, MA 01742 or to the Employees Fund, c/o Mary Ann Morse Nursing Center, 45 Union St., Natick MA 01760. Arrangements by the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, NATICK. (www.everettfuneral.com).