Jeanette W. Bates

Jeanette W. Bates, 91, passed peacefully at home in Weedsport on Sunday, August 24, 2025. She was born October 6, 1933 in Endicott, NY to Frank and Jane (Cole) Watrous, joining her older sister Patricia (Ryan). The family eventually settled in Weedsport, where Jeanette graduated from Weedsport Central School in 1951. She married Paul Bates on June 2, 1956, living in Weedsport throughout their 52-year marriage before Paul’s death in 2008. They raised four children: Daniel (Kay) of Jordan; Paulette (Kent) Mack of Chesapeake, VA; Joanne (Matthew) Slauson of Auburn and Andrew (Wendy) of Weedsport.

Jeanette was employed at Key Bank in Weedsport and founded a local shopping guide with her sister in a shed on their family’s property. The Bates family enjoyed camping and trips to Florida to visit grandparents. The couple was very actively involved with the Weedsport First Presbyterian Church; anything that needed to be done, they did it! Jeanette assisted with rummage sales, annual turkey dinners and other events, church upkeep and coordinated American Red Cross blood drives there for many years.

Jeanette enjoyed knitting (making hundreds of baby hats for local hospitals and cherished baby blankets for family), sewing, cross-stitching, gardening and birdwatching. She especially loved spending time with her family and a rousing game of canasta (with snacks, of course). She was an excellent cook and baker, with the ability to produce a feast for a large group at the drop of a hat. She would often pretend to be exasperated by some family antics, but we know she secretly loved it and would add her two cents to the back-and-forth banter. To sum up Jeanette’s life in one word: FAMILY.

In addition to her husband and sister, Jeanette was predeceased by granddaughter Pearl Bates and great-granddaughter Adaline Mack. She is survived by her children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and her furbaby Bella, as well as several nephews, nieces, cousins and sister-in-law, Jean Bates.

There will be no public services, but donations may be made in Jeanette’s memory to Weedsport First Presbyterian Church, Weedsport Fire Department and Brutus/Sennett Food Pantry. 

Arrangements are with White Chapel Funeral Home, Weedsport. To offer condolences, please visit whitechapelfh.com. 

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