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Light a Candle
We have lost a sister, daughter, aunt and friend. People closest to Sally will always miss her, and remember her interesting mix of sweetness and wicked sense of humor. That deep and infectious laugh was unforgettable. Sally lived with several disabilities that increasingly confined and isolated her. She died alone of unknown natural causes, a sad loss in so many ways. But aside from the loss, our hope is to remember what we have gained by knowing her and sharing in her life. She would want us to laugh with her. Sally Ann Bates died on February 23, 2024, at her home in Burlington, VT. She was born December 6,1955, in Summit, NJ, to William and Nancy Bates. Sally grew up in Westfield and Sparta, NJ, and Edgartown, MA, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from high school in East Montpelier, VT, after the family moved to Berlin, VT. After graduation, Sally moved to New York where she worked as an accountant. Sally had six sisters: Sandra Wood, Jennifer Bates, Susan Walsh, Jill Gardner, Janet Bates and Lesley Tripp. She had been close to her sisters and their families, and especially enjoyed the family celebrations with her nine nieces and nephews. They remember her great laugh, playfulness, and thoughtful celebrations of their milestones. An enthusiastic gardener, Sally's home was filled with plants. She was also an excellent knitter, and family members enjoyed receiving hats and scarfs along with other generous gifts. Later on, Sally was known for her hilarious emails. Sally was predeceased by her father William Bates and her two sisters Susan Bates and Janet Bates. There will be a private family service and distribution of ashes at a later time.
