Obituary of Antoinette Toni Bates

Antoinette R.D. Bates, 75, passed away on August 23, 2012 at Waldo County General Hospital. She was born on July 19, 1937 in Islesboro to Hugh & Geraldine (Barton) Dodge. A 1955 graduate of Islesboro Central School and a graduate of Rittner’s Floral Design School & Hixon’s School of Floral Design. She held various jobs including nanny for the Low/ Mills family, working as a licensed beautician in Massachusetts, cook at Peabody School cafeteria in Concord, MA and the Concord- Carlisle High School in Concord, MA. Toni was the owner and operator of the Islesboro Snack Shack from 1960- 1987, caretaker and floral designer for John & Alice Rogers, head cook at Islesboro Central School and housekeeper of the Episcopal Christ Church Rectory in Dark Harbor. She was a member of the Lone Star Chapter #33 O.E.S P.M., Islesboro, and Primrose Chapter #152 O.E.S P.M., Belfast. She was the organizer of the Islesboro Community Christmas Tree for many years (along with the help of one of her favorite aunts, Betty Porter), assisted with Meals on Wheels, was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Islesboro and the Islesboro Sewing Circle. Toni also gave support to a number of other community organizations such as Islesboro Preschool. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters Geraldine Pendleton and Carolyn Renshaw. She is survived by her husband, Leonard E. Bates; a brother Everard Dodge, sister Fern Dodge, all of Islesboro; an aunt, Patricia Quimby of Warren; stepsons Christopher Bates and wife Cindy of Westford, MA; David Bates of Islesboro; many grand and great grand children, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. on September 29th, 2012 at the Second Baptist Church in Islesboro. Please call 734-8849 in advance for transportation info from the ferry landing to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Mission Lunch, Second Baptist Church, PO Box 17, Islesboro, ME 04848 or The Principal’s Fund, Islesboro Central School, c/o Heather Knight, PO BOX 118, Islesboro, ME 04848 to help Island children who are in need of school equipment. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.