Elizabeth Mary Bates

Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Bates passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, at the age of 91. Born on June 6, 1935, in the village of Leipzig, Saskatchewan, Canada. Betty was the youngest child of Joseph and Mary (Schmidt) Franke. She grew up on her family's farm, alongside her sisters: Bernice and Germaine, and her brothers: Norm and Don.

The 1930s were the Great Depression years, so there were many hardships. Yet, the Franke family children didn't let that stop them from having loads of fun. And from all reports by the siblings in later years, they had grown up in a very lively household.

Following her high school years, Betty worked in Saskatoon at the Tuberculosis Sanatorium. Then she moved to Vancouver, joining her older brother, Norm. Betty worked at Vancouver General Hospital until meeting and marrying Curtis Bates, a handsome American working in Vancouver for Burroughs Business Machines. They married in 1964 and began a life together that would take them across North America. Curtis's career with Burroughs brought them to Texas, Vancouver, Seattle, and more before they settled in beautiful Anacortes, Washington following his retirement.

In Anacortes, Betty lovingly cared for Curtis's Auntie Marie, devoting herself to her with compassion and unwavering love. Caring for others came naturally to Betty. Whether family, friends, neighbors, or members of her church community, she was always ready with a helping hand.

Deeply rooted in her faith, Betty was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a familiar face throughout the Anacortes community. She loved providing Communion in the nursing homes. She was known for her boundless energy and love for running, and her silly sayings like "by gum, by golly" and "holy catfish!"

Although Betty and Curtis had no children together, Betty became a loving and devoted mother to Curtis's son, Alan, and a cherished grandmother to Kim, Krista, Keri, Curtis, Samantha, and Torreen. She was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Her grandchildren will forever cherish memories of ferry rides to Friday Harbor with Grandma Betty, enjoying fresh Dungeness crab around the table, and watching the Goldfinches dance among her prized bright Fuchsias.

Betty was also a treasured aunt to her many nieces and nephews, along with their families. She shared an especially close bond with her sister-in-law, Mavis. The love and friendship they shared remained strong throughout their lives.

Betty's final years were enriched by the friendship and devoted care of Shawnee and Laurel, to whom the family is eternally grateful for the love, kindness, and support they provided during the final chapter of her life. The family would also like to extend their special thanks to the staff at Rosario for their care while Betty was with them.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curtis Bates, her parents; Joseph and Mary Franke, her siblings; Bernice, Germaine, Norm, and Don, her nephews; Blaine and Darrell, her niece Beverly, her great-nephew Jordan, her in-laws; John, Martin, and Darlene, her son Alan, and her granddaughter Krista.

Betty. Aunt Betty. Grandma Betty. Mom. She answered to many names, but each one was spoken with love. She lived her life with unwavering faith, boundless kindness, and a servant's heart devoted to God and to those around her. Whether caring for family, tending her beautiful flowers, welcoming loved ones into her home, or sharing simple moments that became treasured memories, Betty's love was evident in everything she did.

Her family finds comfort knowing she has been reunited with Curtis, the love of her life, and with the Lord whom she faithfully served. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy of faith, compassion, generosity, and unconditional love lives on in all who knew her.