Loretta Ann Bates of Andover died peacefully with family by her side at the Concord Hospital on February 1, 2023.

She was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in August 1946, the daughter of Peter and Barbara Raymond. Loretta attended Salem High School and graduated in 1964. High school is where she met and married the man of her dreams, Bill Bates. Together they would enjoy fifty-eight years of marriage and create a loving family of six children that now totals twenty-nine and counting between children, spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Loretta loved children, and the Bates house was the gathering spot in the neighborhood for all the kids to hang out.

Loretta’s other love was the Immaculate Conception Church in Andover, where she poured out her heart to serve the parishioners and the community, and she cherished her forty plus years of helping others through her church. Some of the events were the spaghetti supper, the spring and fall rummage sales, and the Fourth of July strawberry shortcake held at the Proctor Chapel, to name just a few events that were enjoyed by all.

Loretta also enjoyed crafting and sewing and was readily available to help anyone that needed garments made or altered.

Anyone that knew Loretta would say she was the most caring, compassionate, devoted person they ever knew. She had endless energy and was always involved in a project or helping others with theirs. If you faced turmoil in your life she was there to help. 

Loretta is survived by her son David and wife Donna and their six children, Tim (Molly), Jeff, Emily, Eric, JT, and Sydney of Wilmot, her daughter Amy and husband Ben Cushing and their two children Tucker and Andrew of New London, son Michael of St. Paul, Minnesota, and daughter Rebecca and husband Shane Smart and their two children Kyle, Alisha (Ryan) of Andover, as well as her great grandchildren Charlotte and Ophelia. She was predeceased by her daughter Cheri Bates of Andover, and son Thomas Bates, who was married to Nancy Bates of Wilmot, and they had a son named John Bates.

In lieu of flowers, be the vessel to spread her love and compassion to all those around you and make someone’s day and change someone’s life and follow the example she left for all of us.

A service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10 AM, at Immaculate Conception Church, Andover.