Theresa Bates

Theresa “Terry” (Albert) Bates, 86, of East Hartford, loving wife of 36 years of the late Donald F. Bates, went to the home of the Lord on Monday, January 25, 2021. Born in Pittsfield, MA on July 29, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Estelle (Bouchard) Albert of Pittsfield, MA /Hartford, CT, and a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford, class of 1952. A devout catholic, Theresa was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford where she worked Bingo and was an active member of the Retirees Club, serving as Secretary and later, in Programming, which she enjoyed with many friends. She volunteered at a soup kitchen in East Hartford, was a trained member of the Community Emergency Response Team, and belonged to the Red Hat Society. She was also an avid reader and card player, and enjoyed watching sports, especially the UCONN Women’s basketball team and the Boston Red Sox. Theresa loved to travel to visit family and experience places with her special travel partner, the late Roger Guerrette. She was also known as a collector of angels and gave away many angel "worry stones" to help others.

Theresa worked a number of jobs throughout her life, beginning in high school with State Stamp Works and the Lincoln Dairy in Hartford, and continuing after she was married with two years at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford and 31 years with the U.S. Postal Service in Hartford and later, in East Hartford. She also worked for her son Stephen Bates CPA, LLC, for many years.

Theresa leaves three sons, Stephen Bates and his wife Lynn of East Hartford, Richard Bates and his wife Isolde of East Hartford, Robert Bates and his wife Lori of West Hartford; and one daughter MaryAnn Cummings and her husband Steve of Woodbridge, VA; nine grandchildren, Stephen, Jr. and Tommy Bates, Amanda Bates, Christopher Jones, Matthew and Connor Bates, Sara and Rebecca Cummings, and Christopher and his wife Callie Cummings; a great granddaughter, Ellie Cummings, all of whom she loved dearly. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Loretta Albert of West Hartford, and a nephew, Craig Albert of West Hartford; a special friend Duddy of East Hartford who was a “chosen sister”; and several other dear friends. In addition to her beloved husband Donald, Terry was predeceased by a special friend Marcie who was also a “chosen sister”.

Calling hours will be Sunday (January 31, 2021) from 2-4 pm at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Due to the current health pandemic, everyone is asked to please wear a face covering and adhere to all of the regulations, which include a limited capacity of people in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday (February 1, 2021) at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Monday morning. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. Memorial contributions in Terry’s name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org. For expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.