Sharon Ann Bates

Sharon Ann Bates, 67, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the home of her sister after a long illness.   

She leaves two daughters, Stephanie S. (Cronin) Lapriore and her husband Gennaro of Worcester, and Jennifer M. (Cronin) Lang and her husband James of San Diego, Calif.; six grandchildren, Caitlin Cronin, Brooke Lang, Brady Lang, Dominic Ayala, Olivia Lapriore and Lorenzo Lapriore; her long time companion Raphael Rebollo,, her sister Susan Ledoux and her husband Richard of Worcester; two brothers, Richard Bates and his wife Christine(Foley) of Jefferson and James Bates and his partner Michelle Wiedeman of Shrewsbury; and several nieces and nephews. Sharon was predeceased by her brother Michael P. Bates.

Sharon was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, daughter of Edward Patrick and Martha A. (Merrill) Bates, and lived most of her life in Worcester.  She was a 1975 graduate of Burncoat Senior High School. 

Sharon loved cooking for family and friends.  She loved to travel especially with her family to Disney.

There will be calling hours Sunday, April 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester.  Burial at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Road, Suite 301, Framingham, MA 01701.