Karen Marie Bates

1952 - 2022

Karen Marie Bates

Karen Marie Bates, age 69, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Toledo Hospital following a brief illness.

Karen was born on June 15, 1952 to Alice and Jerome Bocian. She attended Blessed Sacrament School and went on to graduate from Central Catholic High School in 1970. Following high school, she went to Stautzenberger College and took her first job doing secretarial work at Roose Wade Co., followed by serving as secretary in the president's office at the Medical College of Ohio, and then worked at Owens Corning.

Karen met her husband, Chris in 1970 and they married in 1975. Their early years of marriage were spent in North Dakota before eventually moving back to Toledo where she enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and bridge. Karen was a loving mother to three children, Stephen, Sarah, and Marie, and was always on the sidelines for their sporting events, dance recitals, and other activities. Karen had a generous heart and was passionate about volunteering and serving others. She delivered Mobile Meals for 10 years, often with her children in tow. She served as President of Mercy St. Vincent Auxiliary, was a member of the Academy of Medicine Alliance, coached her children's sports teams, volunteered at the Historic Church of St. Patrick food pantry, and at school and parish events for Gesu School, St, Francis de Sales, and Central Catholic High School.

Karen loved to cook and was happiest in the kitchen. She was an avid recipe collector and took great interest in what others were cooking and having for dinner. Karen and Chris loved to entertain and enjoyed hosting friends and family for holiday parties, spirited Notre Dame tailgates, and celebrations for their children and grandchildren. Karen loved her family and friends and spent many happy years with her husband and kids traveling to see those she cared about around the country and in Canada.

Karen brought a joyful and mischievous spirit and hearty laugh to everything she did. She took great delight in just being around people and doing ordinary activities- especially if they involved her 8 grandchildren. She loved her faith, the Rolling Stones, watching golf, and finding the perfect greeting card to send to those she knew.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Jerome and Alice (Perz) Bocian; in-laws, George, Louise, and Florence Bates; sister-in-law, Seana Bates; and brothers-in-law, George and Philip Bates.

Karen is survived by her husband, Christopher Bates M.D; and her children, Stephen (Jacquelyn) Bates, Sarah (Daniel) Grey, and Marie (D.J.) DeLeo. Her grandchildren Hailey, Harper, Carson, Camryn, Anna, Mary, Olivia, and Jacob. Siblings Michael (Sharyn) Bocian, Tom (Barbara) Bocian, and Laura Scribner. Brother and sister-in-laws, Anne Bates, Melanie Bates, Brian (Sherry) Bates, and Andrea Bates; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Sunday, May 1st from 1-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held Monday, May 2nd at 11 a.m. at the Historic Church of St. Patrick. Following a cremation, Karen will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery. If you would like to honor Karen, the family requests donations to Central Catholic High School or the Historic Church of St. Patrick.

www.coylefuneralhome.com