Florence Ellen Bates

I could write volumes on how virtuous a woman our mom was. She was very humble. She was kind. If she saw anyone in need she would help them as much as possible through her lifetime. She never ever thought of herself first. Our cousins have told us that when they were young and would walk into our house they would' feel the warmth and love as they walked in the door'.

Mom had a very high standard of honesty and morality about her that would not allow her to do anything that wasn't good right and honorable.

She always told the truth no matter what the consequences and instilled this in us her children, and her grandchildren.

Mom was a woman of very strong faith. She loved St. Anne and took several pilgrimages to St Anne De Beaupre. Every special intention was sent to St Anne and a novena would be said. She blessed herself every night before saying her prayers with St Anne's oil. I tried to figure out why dad had a spot on all his undershirts in the same place in the middle of his chest. Then one night I saw her getting ready to say her prayers. She blessed herself with the oil and reached over to the middle of dads chest and said 'here Ivan have some oil'. The mystery was solved. Mom had pages and pages of prayers to St Anne that she said every night along with her rosary beads. Mary had asthma as a child and mom and dad took her to St Anne de Beaupre and her asthma did not recur after that time.

There was never any excuse good enough to miss mass on Sunday, even if we were up late the night before.

Her sense of smell and sense of hearing were very good, especially when we as young adults were trying to sneak into the house after having a few beers. She would never go to sleep until the last one was in the house -no matter how old we were.

She had a good sense of humor and loved to laugh. She had a beautiful smile,and her eyes would shine as she smiled. Even when she was unwell, she would always greet everyone with a smile.

Mom fed everyone who came within 10 feet of her. Even when in the nursing home in the last year and a half of her life-she would want to get up and make tea for us before we left so we would make it home ok. She never wanted to see anyone go hungry.She was an excellent baker and cook. My cousin (as a young teen) would drive his bike from Ashby to the pier to have some of moms biscuits and rolls. Her turkey dinners were amazing . She would serve 25 of us a piping hot turkey dinner. A lot of friends and family have wonderful memories of the beautiful buffet she would have after midnight mass with a little gift for anyone who would attend.

Mom was our rock. She kept all of us and her own siblings and their families together in good and hard times. She was a person who found the good in people and brought out the good in people. We are very lucky because mom and dad provided a wonderful and happy and good life for us.

We miss her very much and each of us will always carry a little bit of her love in our hearts to help us through each day.We feel blessed to have had such a wonderful person for a mom. May you rest in peace , our dearest, most beloved, sweet mom.

Love Patsy

To My Family

Mom is not gone.

Every time you look at your reflection in the mirror you will see her because she is in you.

Anytime you face adversity her strength is always with you.

As you walk out Mira you can hear her in the trees and the sound of the water hitting the shore.

Mom is the smell of certain foods you remember her baking ,her tea biscuits, home made bread, her chow.....the list is long.

She would never let you get away without having a "cup of tea" I guess this made her happy to know she was giving you something.

Remember when you were sick she always knew how to comfort you. The feel of her hand on your head, and the feel of a cool wet facecloth wiping your face when you had a fever. She always brought you something to eat in bed....... hot milk,juice,ice cream or tea and toast and sometimes a hot water bottle ( even if it was a certain glass bottle filled with hot water).

Mom is Christmas ... The smell of home made raison bread, fruit cake and the turkey cooking in the oven ........The excitement we felt !!

She loved Christmas and always made it special for us.

Mom you are the first person who loved us unconditionally. You never let us get away with anything. Remember Mom was "always right" .

To her grandchildren and great grandchildren...... Her face would light up when she saw you. She beamed with love for you !!

Mom's faith was very important to her and laid the foundation for ours.

Dad you were the light of her life. She showed this everyday of her life.

She said to me one day before she died as I was leaving " I love you with all my heart and soul" . This I believe is how she felt about all of us.

Nothing on earth can separate Mom and her love for us..... not time.....not even death. Mom you will always be with us in our hearts.We are sure we will see you again. We love you forever and will never forget you and all you gave to us.

Love Mary

I know we all have lots of wonderful memories of mom all of which tell what an amazing woman she was. I remember when I was in school the way she would get me up was to bring me breakfast in bed, I really thought I was spoiled. When I was 10 years old and asked to travel to Halifax to play ringette with 15 other girls mom wouldn’t let me go unless she went too, she was the only parent to go, having my own children I now understand why she went.

Living away from home mom made it easy to call for advise when cooking, baking or anything else. She was very proud of all her grandchildren always having food and treats for them. One of my favorite memories was when she was in the delivery room when my son Tyler was born. She was so excited because she didn’t see a baby being born before. Another memory is when we were all out Mira and a wasp stung Kelleigh , it was only mom who was brave enough to get rid of the wasps nest.

Mom was always there for us no matter what was going on and helped us understand and believe in ourselves. She was very proud that her six children completed school and had made careers for themselves. Mom instilled strong values and ethics in all of us . Mom we love you and you will always be in our hearts.

Love Colleen

Mom was always kind and loving, always looking out for others before thinking about herself. If any of us needed anything she would find a way to get it for us. Mom loved the grandchildren and her face brightened up every time she saw them, and they loved her too. She will always be in our thoughts and prayers, she will be missed by all of us. We will always love you mom.

Love Joe

Mom,

You were always there for us.

Your life was an example of how we should live our life.

The six of us were truly blessed to have you as our mother.

You always put everyone else first.

Your values, your morals, your wisdom, your caring, your generosity, your patience and your

unconditional love will never be forgotten.

Dearest Mom, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.

Love Lawrence

Mom was very special to me and everyone. She was an empathetic listener and gave excellent advise. She was always right and always there when we needed her. Mom made sure we always got what we needed and sometimes more. She was very strict but had a very warm heart. It was important to her that we all had a good education and career. Mom made every occasion special for us.

I remember if we lost something big or small, Mom would pray to St. Anthony and sure enough whatever was lost would be found. To this day whenever I lose something I pray to St. Anthony and it always works. Mom was amazing and always did the best with what she had. Cooking was easy for her ,she could make a delicious meal with whatever we had in the house. I remember she could feed all of us with one piece of steak and we were all full when we left the table. She would always make it stretch for an unexpected guest.

I will always love and miss Mom and know that I have an angel in Heaven watching over me everyday.

Love Glenda

My dearest Florence,

From the time we met when we were young teenagers-I have always loved you. You brought sunshine into my life and gave me a reason to live.You gave me a wonderful family and provided a beautiful life for all of us.Your goodness and kindness have always been an example for our children.I have been so proud to have you for my wife,my partner,and my friend. I miss you so much and I will always love you with all of my heart. Til we meet again -rest gently my love. Ivan

* * * * * * * * * *

With broken hearts we regretfully announce the passing of Florence Ellen (Gillis) Bates who passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the MacGillivray Guest Home on July 23, 2017.

Left to mourn is her loving husband of 66 years, Ivan Bates. She was a wonderful mother to Mary Ellen Sampson (John), Patsy Moore (Alan), Lawrence (Michele), Joe (Joni), Glenda Yurczyszyn (Jerry) and Colleen Doyle (Bob). She was the warmest grandmother to Shelley Lynk (Craig), Jennifer Skinner (Chris), Sara Andrews (Jason), Ashley Adams (Kevin), Laura Moore, Jim Moore (Barb), Bree Bates, Jamie Bates, Melissa Bates (Kayle), Katherine Bates, Ivan Yurczyszyn, Glenn Yurczyszyn, Katie Yurczyszyn, Tyler Doyle, Kelleigh Doyle, Alana Irvine (Dan) and Alicia Hussey (Liam). She was a great grandmother to Andrew and Bryan Lynk, Isabel Beers, Ellie and Max Adams, Ava Moore, Carter Keigan and Eben Hussey. She will also be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.

A woman of beauty, pure heart and closeness to God. Born August 16, 1928 to Margaret and John J. A. Gillis of Grand Mira North. She was raised as a farm girl but spent some of her school years with her aunts in Sydney and eventually went to Empire Business College where she ended up teaching for several years. Later on she worked at Zellers Dept. Store.

At age 15 she met Ivan and they have been sweethearts ever since. She then had her family and devoted herself to them, making bread, sewing clothes and making sure we all went to church, and keeping us all happy.A devout Catholic she has been a member of Holy Redeemer parish for 63 years and was a member of the St. Gerards Guild and the CWL for 50 years.

Florence was well known in the neighbourhood and by family for her mouth watering biscuits, baked goods and lovely meals. It was hard to get out her door without at least a cup of tea. She was always the first one there for everyone when they were ill or in the need of anything. Her smile was always warm and her heart was always open wide and very soft. We will miss this generous, caring, loving and gracious woman and are so grateful for the precious life she provided for us.

She was the last member of her immediate family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters Mary (John) Mackinnon, Isabel (Dan) MacNeil, Josie (Alex) Peters, Annie Gillis and brother John ‘Bricky’ Gillis and by the John Leo and Beatrice Bates family.

Many thanks to the MacGillivray Guest home staff where mom has been lovingly cared for the past 2 years. Also to Dr. MacKillop, Dr Shariff, Dr. Gardener and Dr. Anne Frances D’Intino and the staff of the Palliative Care dept. for your wonderful care.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 27 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am at Holy Redeemer Church with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.

Memorial donations may be made to the CBRH Palliative Care Dept.,MacGillivray Guest Home or charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

‘Mom, we will always keep your Love in our Hearts.’