Obituary: Catherine Bates

The following is from Dello Russo Funeral Home.

Catherine (Mulchahy) Bates passed away peacefully at her home in the company of her loving family. She was 88.

Born and raised in Somerville, Catherine was the daughter of the late Jeremiah and Catherine (Hogan) Mulchahy. After her marriage, Catherine and Dan lived in Chelsea before settling in Medford, where they raised their large family.

Catherine became active in the community and was a devoted member of the former St. James Parish. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts, a member of the St. James Women’s Guild and a coordinator for First Holy Communion at St. James. She was active in civic affairs and served as a Warden at the polls during elections. It was as Matriarch of a large and well-loved family that she excelled. Though she raised 10 children and was grandmother to 17, her motherly advice and assistance was sought and welcome by many.

The beloved wife of the late Daniel J. Bates Sr. for over 60 years, she was a devoted mother of William and his wife Phyllis of Maryland, Daniel Jr. and his wife Denise, Robert and his wife Sandra, Maureen Howe and her husband Robert, Mark and his wife Kathy, Brian and his wife Joan, all of Medford, Denise Guarino and her husband Gerald of Woburn, Andrea McGrath and her husband Kevin of East Boston, Pamela Hale and her husband Jeffrey of Medford and Kim Pease and her husband Robert of Billerica. Catherine leaves her loving grandchildren: Keleigh, Kevin, Michelle, Daniel III, Michael, Shawn, Lillian, Robert, Craig and his wife Ciria, Colleen, Mark, Holli and her husband Eric, Brian and his wife Amanda, Danielle and her husband Eric, Melissa and her husband Christopher, Alicia and Mikaela. She also leaves 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren and is predeceased by her dear siblings: Mary, John, Gertrude, Gerald, William, Robert and Rita.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Monday, Sept. 29, 3-8 p.m., and again on Tuesday morning at 9 followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be send in Catherine’s name to Hallmark Health Hospice, 178 Savin St., Malden, MA 02148.