Maria J. (Moretto) Bates

LEOMINSTER---Maria J. (Moretto) Bates, 88 years old, of Leominster, died peacefully Monday, March 30, 2020 in HealthAlliance-Leominster Hospital, surrounded by her loving children. She is survived by her 4 children, Thomas M. Bates and his life partner Grace Whest of Virginia Beach, VA, Catherine M. Bates LeBlanc and husband John of Brewster, Patricia A. Bates McKay and husband David of Winchendon and Teresa M. Bates Dumont and husband Michael of Ashburnham; a sister Florence Murphy; 3 grandchildren, Michael L. Dumont and wife Monica Lee, Skylar T. Bates and wife Angela, and Logan M. Bates Kinsley and husband Shane; 9 great grandchildren, Jamison Bray, Lacie Bray, Benjamin Bray, Archer Bates, Everett Bates, Emerson Kinsley, John Thomas Kinsley, Sloan Kinsley and Harrison Dumont, as well as 13 nieces and nephews. Maria was predeceased by her husband Norman W. Bates, Jr. in 1999, 2 grandchildren Meghan M. Dumont Bray and Thomas M. Bates, Jr., 3 sisters Emily Moretto, Malvina Rush and Bianca Fava; and 4 brothers Paul Moretto, Alex Moretto, Albino Moretto and Enzo Moretto.

Maria was born in Fitchburg on June 7, 1931, daughter of John and Teresa (Botazzi) Moretto and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1950 and won the Clarence M. Amiott Award for physical excellence. She had worked at R.C. Swan Company for Standard Tool Company, then in 1968 she started a 25 year career at Nypro Inc. First as an Office Manager, working her way to Assistant Controller, Benefits Manager, Director of Administrative Services, and retiring as the Corporate Director of Administration in 1993. During her working career she took courses at Duke University, Boston University, Levison Institute of Psychology, Limerick University of Ireland and Harvard University. She took many work related trips, including Albany, Georgia, Ashville and Burlington, NC, San Diego, CA, Carolina and Cayey, Puerto Rico, Bray Ireland and Leon, France.

After retirement, Maria formed the Nypro Retirement Club and was president of the Nypro Golden Service Club for 20 years. She was the first women to be appointed on the Board of Directors of Nypro. In 2015 she was quite deservedly voted into the prestigious “Nypro Hall of Fame“.

Maria played basketball for Foster Grants, volleyball on the YMCA women’s competitive team, tennis at the Fitchburg Tennis Club, golf at the Worcester Golf Club and was a voracious reader. With great pride and joy Maria planned incredible family trips and vacations around the world.

The burial will be private. There will be a Celebration of life gathering that will be announced at a later date.

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