Antoinette "Anita" Bates

Antoinette "Anita" Bates (Van den Berg), 65, of Windsor Locks, CT, passed away on November 1, 2024. Anita was always seen with a smile on her face and loved by all those who had a pleasure to meet her.
She was born in De Bilt, The Netherlands on October 15, 1959. She met her late husband, Michael Bates, when he was stationed in The Netherlands when she was 19. Within a few weeks they were engaged to be married and were the loves of each other's lives. They were married for 43 years.
Anita was a school bus driver in Windsor Locks for Smyth Bus Co for 36 years, which she truly loved. It was a joke in the family that whenever Anita would describe someone she was talking about, she'd mentioned the street they lived on but that would never help us know who she was talking about.
In addition to her late husband, she was predeceased by her youngest sister, Marion Van den Berg, of The Netherlands.
She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine Hooge (Son in law Jonathan Hooge) and Caroline Bates of Windsor Locks. Her sister, Yvonne Geurtsen (Van den Berg) and brother in law, Peter of The Netherlands. Her brother in laws, Kevin Bates (Sister in law, Karen Bates) of Enfield, Ct and Jim Bates and John Gonyea of Windsor Locks, Ct. She was also very close with her nieces and nephews of Connecticut and The Netherlands.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for all who would like to remember Anita and share their memories on Saturday, November 16th from 12-3:30pm at the Polish Club, 9 1st St., Windsor Locks, CT.