Cathie H Bates

For Cathie Bates, there was nothing more meaningful than spending time with her family. Her most treasured memories were made while surrounded by those she held dear. Funny, smart, straightforward and headstrong, Cathie will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed.

1945 was a time of significant changes as the war in Europe ended on May 7 and WWII came to an end when Japan surrendered on August 14. Americans were once again filled with a sense of optimism as they looked forward to a time of peace and stability. For Douglas Phineas Hatch and Marion Lillian Schaffner of Kalamazoo, this time was even brighter with the birth of their daughter Cathie on November 21 of that same year. Douglas worked as an engineer for Mobil Oil to support his family. Marion worked as a hairdresser but she chose to stay home to be a full time mom once Cathie’s older sister, Beth, was born. Sadly, Marion died when Cathie was just nine years old.

An active student, Cathie attended Knollwood Elementary and Kalamazoo Central High School. She enjoyed participating in the Band Follies and taking dance classes for a number of years. Outside of school, she was part of the Masonic organization’s Rainbow Girls and she delighted in experimenting with hair and makeup for herself and friends. She made many fond memories visiting with family in Albany and Fort Miller as a child.

After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1964, Cathie went on to attend Ferris State College, graduating in June 1966 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. While at Ferris, she ran into Tom Bates, an acquaintance from high school through mutual friends. The two hit it off and began dating. They enjoyed spending time together with mutual friends and they always made each other laugh. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, they married and spent 57 happy years together. Cathie lovingly called Tom “Bates” instead of his given name. The arrival of their son, Kevin, and daughter, Reagan, completed their family.

When Tom and Cathie were first married, Cathie’s father was visiting for dinner. Tom made a smart-mouth comment and Cathie whacked him on the side of the head with a half-eaten ear of corn, with butter and corn pieces flying everywhere. Her father fell out of the seat laughing so hard! They always enjoyed dinners together and spent much of it joking and laughing.

Tom was in the Army for two years and stationed in Fort Sill, OK and Stuttgart, Germany, providing the young couple the opportunity to travel through Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and a little in France while he was stationed there. Being able to visit Italy and see the art and architecture was a dream of hers and she talked frequently about it over the years. Afterwards they returned to Michigan for a short time before moving to Fort Worth, Texas, as well as Menasha, Wisconsin, Lake Zurich, Illinois, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Okemos, Michigan, Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and finally living the last 12 years in Easley, South Carolina.

Over her lifetime, Cathie had several different careers. She worked as a hairdresser in a beauty shop in Kalamazoo for about six years, but after moving several times, she chose to work out of her home, cutting hair for family and friends. Cathie worked painting and wallpapering her homes as well as the homes of others. Many of the houses they moved into needed a lot of cosmetic work. There wasn’t much she wouldn’t attempt! Cathie would re-paint, install or take down wallpaper, fix up bathrooms, tile floors, etc. She started doing faux finishes on walls as well which gave rooms a unique look. She also worked at several fabric stores over the years to support her quilting and crafting hobbies.

Cathie’s creativity definitely shone during the holidays. Every Christmas, she would spend hours baking and decorating dozens of cookies for family and friends, all varieties. She loved decorating the house for the holidays and would spend days making sure it was just so. Many years there were two trees to decorate -- one with fancy ornaments and one with kids’ ornaments. Many hours were spent making gifts for family and friends as well, crafting ornaments, sewing quilts, and making cross stitch pictures. If it was a craft, Cathie could do it. She spent many happy hours creating heirloom pieces for friends, family, children and grandchildren.

A lover of animals, Cathie considered becoming a veterinarian at one point in her life. Growing up, there was always a dog in the house and as an adult, her household always included either a dog or cat.

Each summer the family looked forward to visiting Tom’s parents on their farm in Michigan as well as the Hunter Family Reunion with Tom’s extended family in Elkhart, Indiana.

An avid reader, you would often find Cathie with a book, and later in life a Kindle, in her hand, maybe while enjoying a Diet Coke, or toast and a hot cup of coffee. When it came to music, 80s music, especially Moody Blues, Scorpions, and Bryan Adams were some of her favorites.

There are so many lessons Cathie taught us throughout her lifetime. Enjoy your time with family; be kind and respectful; live within your means; learn how to navigate life and be there for your family. May we honor her memory by taking these lessons to heart and carrying her legacy forward by following her example in our own lives.

Cathie Irene (Hatch) Bates, recently of Easley, South Carolina passed away at home on Thursday, September 7th at the age of 77.

Cathie was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Thomas Winfred Bates; her son Kevin Wayne Bates (Margaret); and granddaughter, Klairissa Rea; daughter, Reagan Ann Davis (Jeffrey); and grandchildren Dylan James and Sydney Grace.

Life Story Services to celebrate Cathie’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 30th at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. A reception where food, drinks, and stories will be held immediately following in the Life Story Center. Visit Cathie’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and to sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the United States or The V Foundation.