It is with great sadness that we the family of Dorothy F. (McKenzie) Bates, 88, of Andover announce her passing on Saturday August 16, 2025 surrounded by family at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill.
Dorothy was born in New Waterford, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia on February 6, 1937, the daughter of the late John and Frances McKenzie.
Dorothy, affectionately known as Dotty, attended Mount Carmel High School and studied nursing at the Halifax Infirmary. She cared for patients as a Nurse in Halifax before marrying and moving to the United States with her childhood sweetheart, Cyril. Eventually making Andover their home, she would raise their family and also continue with caretaking of her grandchildren. She loved tennis and doubles with her partner Cyril playing at the Old Colony Tennis Club and summers were spent at the Haverhill Country Club and Hampton Beach. Dorothy, a devoted Catholic, was an active member of St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Andover where her spirituality and unwavering faith was an inspiration to her family and community and will continue to shine through our lives.
Dotty and Cyril’s enduring love story, married for 66 years and devotion to each other has been an inspiration to their community here and in Miami Beach, Florida where they have wintered in retirement. She shared her love of family, faith, the ocean and boating, long walks, gardening, music and dance with Cyril and this legacy has been instilled in us. Her energy was boundless, she was our biggest cheerleader, believing in us and supporting our pursuits. As a Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother she will be greatly missed.
Dorothy was pre-deceased by parents, John and Frances McKenzie, her sister Florine “Feen” Larade, and brothers: Edward and Carson McKenzie.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband Cyril Bates of Andover, daughter Deborah and her husband Ossama Sakr of Amesbury, and sons: Derek Bates and his wife Dianne of Methuen and David Bates of Miami Beach, FL., siblings: Bennett McKenzie and Donnie McKenzie both of Waterford, Nova Scotia; and her grandchildren: Crystal Thornton of Andover, Sean Bates of Methuen, and Krystina Tichy; and her beautiful great-granddaughters: Michelle Thornton and Emmy Thornton who brought her so much joy, along with many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Rd in Andover on Saturday August 23 from 9:00 to 10:30. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30, with burial to follow in West Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to:
High Pointe House 360 North Ave. Haverhill, MA 01830