Theodora C Bates

April 9th.

She was born in Norwich on November 6th, 1924 to the late Tofie and Rosaline (Nejime) Millard. After

graduating high school she supported the war effort and was an original "Rosie the Riveter," building

submarines at Electric Boat. She was first married to her childhood sweetheart, Charles Gulios who was

killed during WWII. On March 3, 1946 she married her beloved husband Ralph Bates at St. Ann's Church

in New London. He predeceased her in 1993.

Teddy worked as a sewing machine operator at Werman and Bates Shoes with her last job sewing for

Marty Gilman Inc. making football equipment. She was a kind, generous, selfless woman who cared

about and for everyone. She was focused on family and had a special place in her heart for her

grandchildren which she referred to as her "four little angels". Her only self-indulgence was eating out

breakfast or lunch when she was able; Friendly's being a favorite.

Teddy is survived by her son; Ron Bates, daughter; Laura Travers-Forman, sisters; Victoria Travers,

Dolores Millard, Marian Ripani, and grandchildren; Brittany, Alexandria and Dane Kowalewski, Sydney

Forman and many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. She was

predeceased by both her husbands, a daughter; Patricia Ann Bates, brother; Joseph Millard, and sisters;

Constance Gabriele, Pauline Tharp and Helen Poirier.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 13th at 2pm at Sts. Peter & Paul

Church, 180 Elizabeth St., Norwich with burial immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery. There are

no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to either the Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT

06360 or The American Heart Assoc.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visitwww.labenskifuneralhome.com