SOUTHWICK – Eleanor Peterson Bates, age 88, (1936-2024) passed away at home on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born to John and Nellie (Ulm) Peterson, on January 20th, 1936, in New York. Eleanor (Ellie) is survived by husband, Laurence Bates, son, Kenneth Bates, daughter, Jeanne (Keith) Stromgren, son-in-law, Kirk Sanders, nephews and special niece, Nan. She leaves her nine grandchildren, Jimmy (Ruth), Jennifer (David), Jessie-Fern, Kimberlie (Sam), Kyle (Halie), Lori, Lisa, Joe, and Alexandra, and seven great-grandchildren, Lexi, Hannah, Madi, Chloe, Owen, Olive, and Alfie. Besides her parents, Eleanor is predeceased by her sister, Margaret Schnopp, daughter, Susan Sanders, and son, Paul Bates. Eleanor’s family is so thankful for the invaluable help and support from Bea Bates over the last several years.
Eleanor worked several jobs during her life, the last of which was at the Westfield Athenaeum as a circulation assistant. She was a past member of the finance committee for the Town of Southwick. Eleanor was a communicant of the Southwick Congregational Church, and at one time served as secretary of the church.
Eleanor will be remembered for her sense of humor and wit. Her goal in life was to make people laugh, sharing anecdotes, inside family jokes, and randomly but strategically placed quotes from Young Frankenstein, “taffeta darling!” Eleanor was a loyal friend and was known to take on the fight for the underdog. She will be deeply missed by her community.
Services will be held on Friday, November 22nd at 11 a.m. at the Southwick Congregational Church. Memorial contributions in Eleanor’s memory may be made to New England Donor Services, 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA, 02451, www.neds.org or to Baystate Hospice.
For online condolences, please visit Forastiere.com.
