Dorothy (Gainsley) Bates passed away early Monday morning June 3, 2013 at her Dexter area home surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. She was born March 6, 1929 in Grand Rapids, MI to Gerald P. and Ethelyn (Abbey) Gainsley, the third of seven children. Her family moved while she was young to Ann Arbor and then Dexter. She graduated from Dexter High School in 1946 from the old Copeland School. On January 3, 1948 she married Harry C. Bates in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dexter. He survives.
Over the years she worked many jobs as a receptionist, secretary, real estate salesperson, and real estate broker, eventually retiring as co-owner of Dexter Real Estate. However, she considered being a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother her most important jobs.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert, Ronald, James and Gerald P., Jr. and sister Margaret. In addition to her loving husband of over 65 years, she is survived by her sons Hobart (Valerie) of Dexter, Gary (Sharon) of Port Huron and Eric (Traci) of Gardnerville, NV, granddaughters Carly (Brian) Bates-House of Port Huron and Abbey Bates of Port Huron, grandsons Tristan, Jason and H. Colton, all of Gardnerville, NV, her sister Sharon (Max) Darrow of Hagerstown, MD, and also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
She was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, active in the Dexter Community Players, American Business Women’s Association, Red Hat Society and Golden Girls.
Visitation will be Friday June 7, 2013 at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Dexter from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm with a rosary service at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said Saturday June 8, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, village church, Dexter, at 11am with visitation prior at 10am. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph Church Memorial Fund.
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