Obituary: Anita H. Bates of Brewster

from the Beecher Funeral Home

Anita H. Bates of Brewster, NY passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the age of 88.

Our mother was born December 16, 1934, in Yonkers, NY, daughter of the late Henry & Elsie (Korn) Grube. On June 18, 1955, Anita married the love of her life, Joseph Robert Bates, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Yonkers.

Her greatest accomplishments were raising a family of 5 children, who eventually blessed her life with 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She cared for the children of others in her home for many years. Our mother's work career outside the home began when her children were older. She began working at Brewster High School, moving onto Hipotronics in Brewster, and finally settling at A & J (now Beer Time) where she worked for over 30 years. Outside of work, she attended St. Lawrence O’Toole Church and would meet for breakfast afterwards with friends. This turned into a weekly ritual.

Her favorite pastime was Bingo and gathering with her gambling buddies hours before the games would begin. Anita knew every lottery game, and which scratch off was the winner more times than not. When she struck it big in lotto, she did not hesitate to share her winnings with her family. In addition to these gatherings, mom enjoyed pampering herself. She could not let an 8:00 am Friday pass without her weekly hair appointment, nor her monthly nail salon visit.

Our mother loved hard, and she taught each of us to do the same. Life brings tears, smiles and memories. Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but always nearby. Still loved, still missed, and very dear.

She is survived by her five children, Carol (James) Reynolds of Fishkill, NY, Barbara (Jon) Hulse of Danbury, CT, Joseph Bates of Lewes, DE, Robert (Tina) Bates of Enfield, CT, John (Joann) Bates of Poughkeepsie, NY; her siblings, Herbert Grube of NC, Carl Grube of Yonkers, William Grube of Danbury, CT, and Mildred Coppola of New York; her eleven grandchildren, Melissa, Chris, Cara, Nichole, Jessica, Richard, Lindsay, Rebecca, Victoria, Tyler, and Kyle; as well as her seven great grandchildren.

Visitation hours will be held on Wednesday March 22, 2023 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, NY 10509. Burial will take place on Thursday March 23,2023 at 1:00pm at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research.