Obituary of Gloria Ann Bates
It is with deep sadness that we share the peaceful passing of Gloria Bates (Bird) on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, at Brockville General Hospital with her family by her side. Born in Kincardine, Ontario on March 22nd, 1936, to Samuel and Kathryn Bird. Beloved wife of Hugh Bates, cherished mother to Julie (Joel), Lisa (Kevin) and Shelley (Todd). Very proud Grandma to Josh (Amanda), Jordan (Michelle), James (Quiauna), Kylie (Dalton), Sarah, Owen and Jenna. Loving Granny (great grandmother) to Jacob, Austin, Rowyn and Maya. Predeceased by her siblings, Vera, Ivan, Bill, Maisie and Gordon. She will also be missed by her extended family and many dear friends.
Gloria Ann Bird spent her childhood in Kincardine, Ontario, earning the very high honour of Piano Conservatory Grade 10. As a bright and dynamic young woman, she attended Teacher’s College at age seventeen and then moved to Galt to teach kindergarten. It was there that she met Hugh Bates, and they married on July 9, 1960. Her love of playing the piano and being around children gave her, and those around her, great satisfaction throughout her life.
Following the birth of their first daughter, Julie, Hugh and Gloria moved to Brockville. It was there that Lisa and Shelley were born, and where Gloria settled into her life of wife, mother, teacher, and active supporter of community events. Gloria was fiercely committed to all of these roles and was proud of her contributions.
Gloria loved acting in plays, most notably with the Brockville Theatre Guild. She was a member of the Brockville Community Choir and could often be heard around the house practicing her singing. She also held the role of ‘Brown Owl’, a mentor within Girl Guides Canada for 18 years. Around the same time, Gloria spent time as a supply teacher in local schools (young grades only, please!). For years, Gloria regularly played piano and sang for residents of Sherwood Park Manor, and proudly represented the First Presbyterian Church choir for decades.
In recent years, Gloria tirelessly volunteered (alongside husband, Hugh) at Eleanor’s Cafe, within the Brockville General Hospital. Every Wednesday morning for 20 years, the Cafe was the preferred destination for countless hospital staff, patients, and other volunteers. There, Gloria would chat with customers, pour them a coffee, and make sure they were well looked after.
For much of her adult life, Gloria was active at the local YMCA and the tennis program. She had a history with the Brockville Armoury’s Badminton Club and more recently had begun to swing golf clubs, playing regularly with her loving husband. Nobody knows for sure who was in charge of the score card…
Regardless of all of the things that she did, it is the person that she was that will resonate the loudest. Gloria was everyone’s best cheerleader, with a remarkable sense of devotion and commitment to those she cared about. Nobody was happier to see you than Gloria! When you arrived at her house, she would happily announce, “You made it!”, a tradition which her family carries on within their own families. She attended countless sporting events, musicals, band concerts and other events to support members of her extended family, all of whom she loved dearly. She had a joyful exuberance and a genuine (often knee-slapping) laugh that was unmatched and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Gloria at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church, 10 Church Street, Brockville, Ontario.
Special thanks to the compassionate doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers that cared so well for her and her family. Although Gloria was there for just a short time, her family felt deeply supported and truly cared for.
In memory of Gloria, donations to the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Palliative Care would be greatly appreciated by the family. Messages of condolences may be sent online at www.barclayfuneralhome.com
