BERWICK, Maine - Christine Bates, age 98 of Berwick Street, died Monday, February 14, 2005 at her residence.

She was born April 16, 1906, in Berwick, Maine, a daughter of Noah and Nettie (Toothaker) Randall. She attended Berwick schools and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1924. During her school years she worked on the family farm. Upon graduation, she left for Bermuda where she obtained a job as a waitress in the Princess Hotel. It was there that she met William E. (Bill) Bates, a native of Bermuda, who was working the hotel "circuit" as a fry cook. They married in 1933 and remained happily married for 55 years until his death in 1988.

With the birth of her son in 1937, she began her second career of mother and homemaker. She was an avid gardener and baker, and was known for her rhubarb patch, cookies, blueberry muffins, apple pies, and the zucchini relish and pear honey she put up every fall. She loved the outdoors and was very active most of her life. As a child and young woman, she skated, skied and walked briskly. When there were food stores in Berwick, she walked to town daily to shop for food. After the stores closed she continued to walk "over town" into her 90s. Asked recently why she never got her driver's license, she said she tried driving once "but couldn't manage to stay on the right side of the road."

After her husband's retirement, they traveled often, usually by bus or train. She also enjoyed corresponding with her friends and family around the world and keeping up with things by telephone. But it was her home and her family that remained the focus of her life. For 83 of her 98 years, she lived in the house that her grandfather built upon his return from the Civil War. From this house she cared for her family, tended to her husband during illness and cared for her sisters as they aged and needed her assistance.

She was a tower of strength, always helping those less fortunate then herself. As her family grew over the years, she delighted in her grandchildren and eventually her great-grandchildren. Spending time with the little ones, especially in the last year, brought her much joy. She was a lifelong member of the Berwick United Methodist Church. She and Bill worked the roast beef suppers at the church for many years. She was a member and sometime officer of the United Methodist Women and enjoyed the fellowship of the meetings. She also participated in the Farm Bureau extension program and was a friend of the library and historical society.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; two sisters, Agnes and Ruth; a brother, Eugene. She is survived by her son Roger of Fairfield, Pa.; three grandchildren, Kristi Shannon of St. Augustine, Fla.; Todd of North Pole, Alaska; Randall of Yarmouth, Maine; and six great- grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on April 16 in the Evergreen Cemetery, Berwick, Maine, with the Rev. Les Pettit officiating. Arrangements by Laing-Bibber Funeral Chapel.

Evergreen Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Berwick ME

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