Ann Perpetua Bates

June 24, 1950 - May 17, 2025

We, the family of Ann Bates (nee MacNeil), are heartbroken to announce the passing of our loving wife, sister, aunt, and cousin on May 17, 2025, after a very brief, but very brave battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family.

She graduated from St. FX University in 1970 with her B.Ed. She taught grade five at MacDonald Elementary School in Dominion for 35 years, retiring in 2005. During her tenure, she was an active member of the NSTU as school representative, which would include advocating for the rights of teaching mothers. Her work as a teacher filled her heart. She was generous to her students and colleagues, sharing treats and lessons plans. Her community of Dominion, work and church was of significant importance to her.

She enjoyed sports, both watching and playing golf, hockey, and curling. Since retiring, she was a member of the Passchendale Golf Club; as well, her Wednesday "Tea at Tim’s" group was started the summer she retired. Ann would only miss her weekly Tim’s to play golf. If it rained, she would join the gang. She will be sorely missed by her friends.

Ann was the youngest of four children and maintained that it was because they finally got it right. She loved to travel and had been everywhere she wanted to go. She loved her family deeply and was present at every dinner, holiday, event, and for every milestone. She had an amazing sense of humor and quick wit, which we will miss tremendously. We will also miss her birthday cards; the more snarky the message, the more she loved you.

Ann is survived by her husband, Kevin Bates, Glace Bay, her beloved pup, Kody, her sister, Mary (Bill) Proctor, Sydney River, nieces Michelle (Scott) Proctor Simms, Hammonds Plains, Andree (David) Proctor Myers and Elise (Dhiarmid) Proctor Campbell, of Sydney, Celine Betoff, Halifax and Lauren (Nick) DeDieu, Calgary, nephews, Clifford (Beth) MacNeil, New Hampshire and Derrick (Kim) MacNeil, Pictou, Troy Betoff, Sydney, step daughter, Elizabeth Dorren and her children Brittany and Ashley, Calgary, special cousins Chris (Larry) Boutilier and Adele (Frank) Bates. She was a loving and proud great aunt to Lauren, Gillian, Matthew, Claire, Malcolm, Alex, Liz, Cameron, Michael, and Elaine. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Mary (Eldon Smith), Halifax, Rosalie (Al) Moores, Glace Bay, Rita (Jim) Rudderham, Sydney, Lana DeDieu, Dominion, brothers-in-law Frank (Adele) Bates, Glace Bay, Sheldon DeDieu, Dominion, and many wonderful friends.

She is predeceased by her first husband, Lorne DeDieu, daughter, Renee Martine in infancy, parents, Mary and Francis MacNeil, brothers Francis and Paul MacNeil, niece Carylee MacNeil, nephew Paul D. MacNeil and stepson, Kevin Bates, sisters-in-law Theresa (George) Close, Carmel (Roy) Pliche; Maurina (John) MacNeil; Ann (Ronald) Patterson, Shirley DeDieu, Doreen DeDieu, brothers-in-law, Gerald, Joseph and Thomas Bates and Kevin DeDieu.

We would like to thank the staff of 4B and 4C as well as the An Cala Palliative Care unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Carol Critchley for the care and love shown to Ann these many years.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Parish, Bridgeport on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11 am, with a reception to follow at T.J. Tracey Funeral Home, 370 Reserve St., Main Street, Glace Bay. 902-849-4199.

To share words of condolences to Ann’s family, please visit our website at www.tjtracey.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann's name to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation NICU in honour of Claire Burke, the An Cala Palliative Care Unit, or the Calvary Cemetery Fund.

"Stand fast in the faith and love one another." - St. Perpetua