Jeanne (LeBlanc) Bates

Jeanne Marie (LeBlanc) Bates, 79, of Shrewsbury, a dedicated mother and grandmother, passed away Thursday, July 6th, 2023, surrounded by the ones she loved.  She joins in heaven her husband Richard A. Bates and infant daughter, Jeanne.

Jeanne aka “Dede” was born in Worcester, the youngest of five daughters of Russell J. and Marion A. LeBlanc. Raised in Worcester, she graduated from Commerce High School, where she was a majorette in  the marching band.  Immediately after high school, Jeanne became a flight attendant at Eastern Airlines. In 1966, Jeanne married Richard A Bates.  They settled in Shrewsbury to raise their family for 53  years before Richard left her side on December 16, 2019.  Jeanne continued to live in the family home leading and guiding her family.   At one time, she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and Brüel & Kjaer in Marlboro.  

Jeanne is survived by her three children, Christine Tonelli and her fiancé Shion Philbert with whom she lived, Nicolas Bates and his wife Kathleen Shaffer of Melrose, Richard E. Bates and his partner, Kellee Kores of Leicester;  four sisters, Geraldine Hoose, and Janice Sokol both of Worcester, Annette Mitchell of Charlton and Christine Bahde of Shrewsbury;  4 grandchildren she cherished Rino Tonelli, Zachary Bates, Joseph O’Brien and Pheonix Bates;  her grand pets especially Mr. T who never left her side; many nieces, nephews, extended family, including Marion P. Calabrese, and Barbara J. Donahue who were like her sisters and friends.   

Jeanne’s life was all about family.  Her greatest moments in life were those she spent with them, be it the holidays, special occasions, being present in the stands at all her children and grandchildren’s activities or together with her sisters in someone’s backyard or home.   Jeanne was always singing or humming her hymns and passed the love of music onto her children,  she enjoyed  traveling with Richard and family in their motor home camping, notably at Sebago Lake in Maine or Bolton Campgrounds.   Jeanne and Richard traveled extensively to multiple casinos. She frequented Twin Rivers with her husband and siblings.

A period of gathering with the family will be held Friday, July 14th, 2023, from 10:30 am to 11:30 with the funeral service held directly thereafter in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.    A burial will follow in Mt View Cemetery in Shrewsbury.