Grace M. Bates passed away peacefully July 29, 2014 in Vero Beach, Florida. She was a resident of The Arbors, an assisted living facility, in Vero Beach. Grace was 91 years old. She was the daughter of Ruth Washburn Monroe and Lyman Gates Monroe. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph R. Bates in 2006. Grace was born in Danbury, on August 9, 1922. She attended Danbury schools and was a graduate of Catherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Providence, Rhode Island. She worked as a secretary for the Mallory Hat Company up until her marriage to Joe Bates. She was also a secretary working for the law firm of Beliezna, Shovell and Frazell for twenty years, retiring in 1983. During World War II Grace was a âspotterâ with the Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) and took shifts standing on Mallory Hat Factoryâs roof looking for enemy planes. Like many other young couples who married right after the War, she and her new husband chose New Fairfield to settle in and start a family. New Fairfield held many happy memories for Grace. She was a member of the Townland Club, welcoming new residents and introducing them to the small-town friendliness of New Fairfield. She had many fond memories of taking her children, to the New Fairfield town park on Candlewood Lake for swim lessons every morning and having wonderful summer picnics with the other young mothers and their children after lessons. Our Mom loved making a warm home for her husband and children and was known for her wonderful cooking, dinner parties and sewing skills. Everyone knew they would be welcome to stop in and visit and be greeted with a warm smile, and of course a snack. She and her husband loved to travel and enjoyed taking vacations in Hatteras, North Carolina, going cross-country visiting many of our countryâs national parks or traveling to Europe. Grace and Joe were seasonal residents of Vero Beach, Florida for 15 years, before becoming permanent residents in 2006. Grace was a member of the New Fairfield Congregational Church. She was also a member of the New Fairfield Lionesses and the D&M Society. We would like to extend a special thanks to the Staff of The Arbors for their gentle care, kindness and friendship shown to our Mom. They not only gave professional care but gave her their friendship as well and made Mom feel that she was safe, secure and at home. We cannot thank them enough.
View Full Notice → Grace M. Bates – August 09, 1922 – July 29, 2014