LEWISTON – Grace June Bates, 77, passed away Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, in Lewiston.

Grace was born May 28, 1946, to Edward and June (Tompkins) Piela. The fourth of five siblings: Leon, Phil, Norene, and Raymond; she grew up in Monmouth and was a proud graduate of Monmouth Academy, class of 1964.

Grace, for many years, was a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters, Sherry and Lauri. When she did return to work, she proudly worked at the packing shed for Chick’s Orchards, then different secretarial positions, including at what would later become Service Merchandise.

Grace volunteered for Monmouth’s volunteer ambulance service, becoming a first responder, then a certified EMT, and was instrumental in getting the town its own full-time ambulance service. It was during this volunteering that she met the future love of her life, Leonard.

Len and Grace were married Aug. 15, 1982. With this marriage, Grace became the stepmother to two more daughters, LeeAnn and LouAnn. She left the workforce to take care of Len’s parents and take on arguably her favorite role, grandmother. She then worked for many years at LeeAnn’s store, The Fayette Country Store, where she loved working with family members and friends.

Grace was a dedicated member for many decades at the North Monmouth Community Church where she also volunteered a lot of her time, whether it be baking for an event, helping remodel the church, or just lending a hand wherever needed.

Grace was always active, playing on a women’s softball team and a local bowling league in her younger years, and never missing any of her daughters’ or grandkids’ sporting events or activities. Family and friends were everything to her, including her pets; her most recent being her dog, Sarah, who she wouldn’t go anywhere without!

Grace was predeceased by her parents, Edward and June Piela; and her siblings, Leon, Phil, and Norene.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Leonard Bates; her brother, Raymond and wife Sue Piela; her daughters Sherry and husband Paul Ferland, and Lauri and husband Rick Frost, stepdaughters LeeAnn Bates and partner Jonathan Weymouth, and LouAnn and husband Christopher Leighton. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and their spouses; and her 15 great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of Grace’s life for family and friends on Oct. 21, at 11 a.m., held at The North Monmouth Community Church, 151 North Main St., North Monmouth.

Arrangements are in the care of the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Grace’s name to local animal shelters.

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