WORCESTER-Anna C. (O’Connell) Bates, 82, of 11 Marble Street, died Wednesday, August 29th in Beaumont Nursing Home. She leaves her husband of 55 years, James R. Bates; a son, James M. Bates of Worcester; 3 daughters, Nancy M. wife of Donald Joslyn of Auburn, Kathleen A. wife of Eric Thompson of Jefferson and Maureen M. wife of Kevin Brenner of Shrewsbury; 2 sisters, Margaret T. Plante of Worcester and Catherine Dubois of Oxford; 9 Grandchildren, Laurie, Michael, Lindsey, Carl, Ryan, Johanna, Luke, Maria and Emma; 2 Great Grandchildren, Grace and Faith. A brother, John W. O’Connell predeceased her.
Mrs. Bates was born in Worcester the daughter of John P. and Agnes G. (Murray) O’Connell. Anna worked as a teaching assistant for the Worcester Public Schools for many years retiring in 1996. She formerly worked as a volunteer for the school system She was an active longtime member of St. Peter’s Church and was an avid bingo player.
The funeral is Friday, August 31st from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Church, 931 Main Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. A calling hour will be held from 8:30 until 9:30 AM the morning of the funeral in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to UMASS Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 2795, Worcester, MA 01613 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Freeway Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244 or Beaumont Nursing Home, Activities Fund, 85 Beaumont Drive, Northbridge, MA 01534.