Marie C. Bates, 94, passed away on January 26, 2019 at Hathaway Manor following a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late James A. Bates with whom she married in Le Havre, France and shared 68 years of marriage.
She was the daughter of the late Albert and Pauline Guillen of France.
Born in Oran, Algeria, North Africa, she lived in North Dartmouth for most of her life and spent several years in Tampa, Florida.
She was a Real Estate Broker for Towne House Real Estate Agency, Inc. of Dartmouth for many years and previously owned Marie C. Bates Realty on Hathaway Rd. in Dartmouth.
She was an active member of the Greater New Bedford Real Estate Board. She was an active member of Smith Mills Christian Congregational Church, serving on the Board of Trustees, a member of Tri Delta, a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent of the school.
Survivors include her children, Bradford A. Bates and Bruce C. Bates of Dartmouth, Christine P. Starvaggi of Florida and Lakeville and Brenda B. Bates Mathews of Fairhaven; 2 brothers, René Guillen of France and John M. Guillen of Tampa, FL; 2 sisters, Francine Hernandez of Tampa, FL and Elizabeth Guillen of Marseille, France; 5 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Jeanine, Lucienne and Christiane.
The family would to extend a special thanks to Tara De Souza, Marie's caregiver, as well as Katie and Gina from Beacon Hospice.
A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 12pm in the Smith Mills Christian Congregational Church, 11 Anderson Way, Dartmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the church.
Arrangements are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
