Anna Bates

Anna Silva Bates

February 15, 1915-November 22, 2014

Longtime Palo Alto resident, Anna Silva Bates, passed away peacefully at her home on November 22, 2014. She was only four months shy of her 100th birthday. Fortunately, she did not suffer from any major illness nor was she in pain.
Anna was born in Woodland, California on February 15, 1915. She was the daughter of Portuguese immigrants from Fayal (Faial Island) of the Azores. She grew up on a ranch in Yolo County. Anna graduated with honors from Sacramento State College with a BA in English and a teaching credential. She worked as a teacher, legal assistant, and insurance administrative assistant. While commuting to work in San Francisco she met Glenn Bates, an electrical engineer. Anna and Glenn were married during World War II and remained so for more than 65 years until his death in 2009. Anna and Glenn moved to Seattle just after the war when Glenn joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation. They adopted a son, Paul and Anna became a fulltime mother until Paul joined the Army. In 1957, Anna and her family moved to Palo Alto where she remained until her death. She was a devoted wife and mother and always supported her family with love, thoughtfulness, and joy.
She was preceded in death by her Mother, Anna Urbano Freitas (Silva), her father, Antone Freitas, her sister, Maria Marders, and her husband, Glenn Bates. She is survived by her son, Paul Stephen Bates, her daughter-in-law, Leigh McWilliams Bates, her grandsons, Thomas Woodward and Dougles Andrew Bates, and her great-great grandson, Keagan Woodward Bates.
A short memorial remembrance and final internment will take place at Alta Mesa Memorial Park on Tuesday, December 9th at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited. Spangler Mortuary, Menlo Park assisting the family 650-323-6500.