Marjorie D. (Howard) Bates 97, a lifelong resident of Hanson, died Thursday, February 9 after a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert S. Bates, Jr. (Bud) for 51 years.
Born and raised in Hanson, she was the daughter of the late T. Dean and Cora (Brown) Howard and a graduate of Whitman High School Class of 1937 and the Brockton Business College Class of 1938.
Marjorie was a familiar face around town having served as the Assistant Assessor for over twenty-seven years, a Girl Scout Leader, a volunteer at Teen-Timers and a member of the First Congregational Church of Hanson. She and Bud loved to fish. They would spend winters ice fishing on the lakes in Plymouth and summers fishing off their boat the Mud n Barge. After Bud’s death in 1995, she became involved with the Hanover Council on Aging and spent her Tuesdays with her friends at Morning Out.
She is survived by her loving daughters Deborah Derrossett of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Nancy Anderson and her husband Richard of Tewksbury, her five grandchildren Christine McCracken and her husband Joseph, Kenneth Derrossett, Jill Popp and her husband Craig, Jennifer Poirier and her husband Daniel and Brian Anderson and his wife Judith and her four great grandchildren, Lucas and Nathan Popp and Ella and Hannah Poirier. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Eleanor Mullen of Ocean View, Delaware and her beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers Russell and Arthur Howard.
Her funeral service will be held Thursday February 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58@ the rotary) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Fern Hill Cemetery, Hanson. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday February 15 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM.
Donations in her name may be made to the First Congregational Church of Hanson, 639 High Street, Hanson, MA 02341, or to the charity of one’s choice.