Clara Louisa Bates peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, just three weeks short of her 98th birthday at Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, after spending most of the day with her children.
Clare was born on October 18, 1924 to Matilda and Bertram Lipscombe in London, England shortly after the first world war. In 1944, during the second world war, she met the love of her life, Cecil Bates, at a local Tottenham dance hall while he was on leave with the RAF.
They married in 1945 and boarded a ship in 1951 with their four-year old daughter to start a new life in Canada. They celebrated 54 years together before his passing.
Clare was predeceased by her parents, Matilda and Bertram Lipscombe; her sisters Lorna and Velma; her brother Bert; her husband Cecil Bates and her daughter Dianne Kingston (John). She is survived by her children Lorna Bell (Paul), Annette Bates and Glenn Bates (Priya). She leaves a legacy of ten grandchildren: Melanie Pascutto (Mike), Lisa Moretto (John), Peter Bell, Brian Bell (Shawna), Debi Kingston (Darren), Jennifer Kingston (Walid), Matthew Kingston, Alicia Matteo, Lita Bates and Mary Bates. She was also blessed with eight great- grandchildren: Cameron, Tyler, Hailey, William, Josh, Jacob, Danny, and Mason with a ninth on the way.
A visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St, Mississauga on Sunday, October 2, 2022 from 1-4 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held in Chapel at the same location, on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Canadian Diabetes Association or the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca