Virginia Bates Obituary

For those who would like to join a livestream of the Mass, use the following link and meeting information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88571870180?pwd=MnlteVVqRFVDdC8rYUxBdFNIL1JZZz09

Meeting ID: 885 7187 0180 Passcode: 212133


Virginia Grace Bates, 82, of Niantic passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, with her husband and son by her side.
Ginger was born on August 1, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Frank and Josephine Giuliano-Zito. She graduated from New London High School in 1956, and then from Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing in 1959.

Shortly after finishing her academics, she married her high school sweetheart Frederick Bates, on November 14, 1959 at St. Mary’s Church in New London. Fred and Ginger celebrated sixty-one years of marriage this past November.

Ginger loved working as a labor and delivery nurse at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital before retiring in 1997. Fun fact: She participated in the delivery of five of her grandchildren. Shortly after retirement, Ginger and Fred bought a condominium at Monterey Yacht & Country Club in Stuart, Florida, where they enjoyed being snowbirds for almost 20 years. There they made lifelong friends, and enjoyed golf, bocce, bingo, dining out and traveling.

Ginger was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Josephine, her brother Johnny Giuliano, and her sister Francis Stinson. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her four children, Pam Minucci and her partner Rob Wilson of Niantic; Fred Bates and his wife Mindy Rue Bates, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Theresa Lindberg and her husband Bill of Charlotte, North Carolina; Nancy Locklear and her husband Chris of Niantic. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brittany Schultz and Megan Minucci; Derek and Carter Bates; Erik and Trevor Lindberg, Emily and Brian Dannenhoffer; Emma and Julia Locklear; and one great-granddaughter MayaMarie Virginia Rosario. Her children and extended family feel incredibly blessed that Ginger was so much a part of their lives, being with them and providing love and support, from the time of birth and throughout life’s journeys.

Ginger and Fred were both active members of St. Agnes Church in Niantic. Some of Ginger’s favorite pastimes were spending time crocheting on Tuesday’s with “The Happy Hookers,” monthly outings with her high school friends, “The Lunch Bunch,” the L&M Co-workers Dinner group and summer golf and breakfast with the ladies. Her entire life was devoted to putting others first, whether it was for personal care, medical advice, making Italian food and cookies, participating in the Family Christmas party, or lending an ear. Family always came first!

The family would like to thank all of the Doctors and Nurses that cared for her and the staff at DaVita for their kindness and weekly care. Ginger would say, “It was time to go to work,” and she did with all of the staff there. Donations can be made in her name to: The American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
Calling hours will be private, but a public mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at 12:00 pm, St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Avenue, Niantic. Masks and Social Distancing are required.

For those who would like to join a livestream of the Mass, use the following link and meeting information: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88571870180?pwd=MnlteVVqRFVDdC8rYUxBdFNIL1JZZz09

Meeting ID: 885 7187 0180 Passcode: 212133
To view Virginia’s online tribute or to send the family virtual condolences, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com