Lynette Bates

Lynette died January 13, 2026 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital after a brief and unexpected illness. She fought a long, hard battle of stage four cancer diagnosed November 19, 2019. True to her nature Lynette faced every challenge with strength, grace and determination. She was 78 years old when she left us!

Lynette was born on September 8, 1947 in Carmel at the old hospital to Alvin Anthony Mendonsa and Bonnie Lou Mendonsa. She was raised in Del Rey Oaks, first on Voe Place and then on Carlton Drive. She went to Del Rey Woods elementary school, Fremont Junior High school and then graduated in 1965 at Monterey High school. She continued her education at Monterey Peninsula College earning her associates degree in 1967.

She then moved to San Jose to attend San Jose State University. It was there that she met the love of her life Larry Bates in 1968. They married in 1969 and began a beautiful life together. That same year they welcomed their son Alan, followed by their daughter Carrie in 1972.

Lynette devoted her life to raising her children and remained home with them until they went to school. In 1977, she began working part-time in the ophthalmology field and where she served as an optometric technician for 20 years until she retired. She deeply loved her work and was know for the exceptional, compassion and kindness she showed her patients.

Larry and Lynette lived in San Jose for many years before relocating to the Monterey Peninsula in 2000. They purchased a home in Salinas within the Las Palmas community where they happily lived out their retirement years. Lynette became an integral part of the community and was a dedicated organizer of food trains for the ill community members, expectant neighbors, toy drives for needy children and many other acts of service. Lynette was selfless by nature and always put others before herself.

One of Lynette’s proudest contributions was designing, planning and coordinating the development of the Los Palma Street sign a community enhancement project for their neighborhood Acclaim. Completed with professionalism and beauty, the project earned her widespread praise and appreciation from her neighbors.

Throughout her five-year cancer battle, Lynette was remained relentless and strong! Despite numerous hospitalizations and treatment related illnesses, she rarely showed her suffering. She was tough as nails, yet endlessly loving and compassionate. She continued to deeply care for others, no matter how unwell she was herself, she always found time for others. She was truly a beautiful soul inside and out! Never have I ever known anyone more beautiful than her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Bates, son Alan Bates (Joreen), daughter Carrie Sarin (Raj), brother Larry Mendonsa (Cathleen), grandchildren Jocelyn, Walker, Dilan, and Logan, and nephew Christopher Mendonsa.

A memorial service will be held at the Monterey Moose Lodge, located at 555 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940. The service is scheduled for January 27, 2026, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers you can make donations to the American Cancer Society in Lynette’s name.