Florence Bates 1930 - 2008
Florence Knorp Bates passed away on December 8th, 2008. She died peacefully at home in Boulder, Colorado under kind and compassionate hospice care.
Flo was born on July 7th, 1930 to William Frederick and Ellen Hartley Knorp in San Mateo, California. She is survived by Lawrence Pierson (Pete) Bates, her husband of 55 years; daughter Mary Ellen (and partner Lin Hardin), daughter Amy (and husband Keith Grant), daughter Sarah, and son Russell (and wife Amy Seidenwurm); grandchildren Jenny, Ian, Mayah, and Noah; and many loving relatives and friends.
Flo grew up in Northern California and attended Pomona College before earning her Masters in Education at Stanford University, where she also met her future husband.
Flo loved gardening, the outdoors, reading, and dogs. She created a warm and loving home for her family and treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren. She touched everyone she met with her kindness and compassion, as well as her attention to the details that made people feel appreciated. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Contributions may be made in Flo's name to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties or to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
Please also leave your thoughts and memories about her by clicking on the "Comments" link just below. We would love to read them.
Much love...
Pete, Mary Ellen, Amy, Sarah, and Russell
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Thank you so much for creating this, Russell.
ReplyDeleteFYI, Mom's obit in the Boulder Camera is at http://snipr.com/flo-bates
Flo was seven years older than I, and she was a ‘model child’. I am told that Flo sat quietly every morning reviewing her spelling assignment before going to school. Her penmanship was neat; her grades straight “A”. There were never any deportment issues either. So, growing up as the younger brother of a nearly picture perfect older sister was not an easy task!
ReplyDeleteIn reality, the age difference equated to having two single children being raised in the same family. Fortunately, for me, we did not attend the same grammar school so I was not subjected to academic and behavior comparisons.
In 1954, circumstances brought Flo and me much closer together.
To set the stage, in June 1953 Flo and Pete were married and moved to Lebanon, Illinois where Pete was planning to be stationed for two years. Because of changing military issues in the Far East, Pete was given orders to go to Japan for the second year. In June of 1954, Flo arrived at 1830 Elmwood on the verge of delivering Mary Ellen.
At this time, I was seventeen years old……somewhat closer to Flo’s age ….. and the year with Flo and baby Mary Ellen was delightful.
I may be the only person who visited each of the Bates homes in the subsequent years ….. Albany, San Mateo, Monterey Park, Belvedere, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, Saratoga, Mill Valley, Philo, Sebastopol, and Boulder. One of the most memorable visits was in 1959 when I made an unannounced arrival in Monterey Park, and Mary Ellen and Amy discovered my sleeping body on their back porch the next morning.
Over the years, Judy and I witnessed Flo’s ability as a great mother and gracious hostess for many of our family Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter gatherings. We, and our children Becky and Andy, have many very fond memories of these events.
The way Mary Ellen, Amy, Sarah and Russ worked together during the past year to relocate Flo and Pete from Sebastopol to Boulder exemplifies that Flo’s character has been passed on to the next generation. I know that she was very grateful for this combined effort.
Judy and I visited Pete, Mary Ellen and Flo in Boulder in October. Obviously, Flo was not in good health, but the expression on Flo’s face said to us …… “I love all of you and thanks for coming”.
Dad died in 1971, mother in 1985 and now Flo in 2008. On the one hand, I am very melancholy. On the other hand, I am so grateful for all that my family has given to me and to my family.
Bill Knorp
Auburn, CA
January 5, 2009
Flo was a thoughtful, talented, intelligent caring gal with a great sense of humor. She had a terrific husband (I remember the wedding like it was yesterday) and family. We have wonderful memories. Sally joins me in sending our condolences to all of you.
ReplyDeleteWith love and affection,
Al
P.S. Thanks for the blog Russ. Pete, I will write and bring you up to speed from our end.
When I learned that Flo’s death was imminent, I spent lots of time in thought and recollection, trying to digest the reality of it. Flo has been an important part of my life, and I will miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteI first met Flo when Bill and I were dating in 1964. When we announced our engagement, Flo (and Pete too) welcomed me enthusiastically into the family. I was very grateful for her love. I have had an immense respect for Flo as a mother and as a friend. I have learned so much from her.
I learned that she was the very best Easter Bunny. Some of those Easter traditions, which began on the Bates garage workbench assembling baskets, were carried on at our home.
Flo made many Easters, Christmases and Thanksgivings such happy times for us and for our children. Meal preparation with Flo at the helm was fun for me, as I picked up many recipes and ideas from her, which I use today. However, I have never been able to make candy cane cookies like she did. She was such a gracious hostess and a fabulous cook and loads of fun to be with.
She was a counsel on whom I relied for parental advice as we were raising Becky and Andy. I always trusted her wisdom as I considered her to be an outstanding mother. She and I had many long talks throughout the 40 + years I have known her, and we shared a lot of ideas, concerns, worries, happiness—all things friends share. I will miss being able to talk to her.
Pete, Bill and I have admired so much the loving care you all have given Flo. Choosing Boulder for proximity to Mary Ellen and Lin was so wise and thoughtful. Flo passed away feeling your love. You have always said that Flo was ‘your life’. You have indeed dedicated your life to her and have given her so much love. We hope now that you will be able to enjoy the many pursuits Boulder has to offer—including skiing! Mary Ellen, Amy, Sarah and Russell, you have all cared for Flo in such a loving way—a real tribute to Flo and her skills as a mother.
Andy commented that he was glad he recently was able to spend time in Sebastopol with Flo and you, Pete. He appreciated the warm welcome you extended to him, and he enjoyed so much doing the design for your yard. Going to the beach with you and Flo was especially fun. It was a special time for him to be with you.
Becky has some thoughts which she will add to the blog. She last saw Pete and Flo in February 2007 when they came to our home in Auburn to celebrate Bill’s 70th birthday. That weekend Flo and Pete, Becky and John, Andy, Bill and I had a wonderful opportunity to visit.
I am so happy that Bill and I were able to see Flo in October in their new Boulder home. She was very aware that we were there, and I will always remember the nice neighborhood walk we took with Pete and her. I remember telling her that her hair looked very chic and that she should always wear it that way. She nodded agreement and had a twinkle in her eye. That is how I want to remember her—with a twinkle in her eye.
With love……
Judy Knorp
Auburn, CA
January 7, 2009
We are so sorry, such a very sweet lady—please extend our sympathies to Pete and their family.
ReplyDeleteWe were sorry to hear of Flo’s death, and we know that you are feeling a loss and sadness. We also know that Bill has many happy family memories to cherish—and how wonderful you had that special visit in October. We send our love and sympathy.
ReplyDeleteWendel and I send our sincere sympathies to you. We are so sorry to hear the sad news of Flo’s passing. I remember her at your 70th birthday party. She and Pete had such a good time and enjoyed visiting with everyone. We are glad to hear you had a recent visit with her. Your fond memories will help to bring you comfort.
ReplyDeleteJust want you to know that we were so sorry to hear of your sister’s death some weeks ago. Our thoughts have been with you and our sympathy goes out to you. I’m sure it has been a difficult time and we apologize for being so late getting this to you.
ReplyDelete--Joey & Scrub Bensley (High school friends of Judy)
Al & I were so saddened to learn of Flo’s passing. She put up a valiant fight for years. I have fond memories of Flo in the years when I was first introduced to the Knorp family. First with Amy and Mary Ellen when they were very young and later when they lived close to us in Walnut Creek. She was a very welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic person, and she will be missed by family and friends.
ReplyDeleteDear Fauf, (always Fauf to me)
ReplyDeleteCall this a thank you note from your friend, Punkie -- who is indeed grateful to have known you - and loved you - some seventy of your seventy-eight years.
I thank you for all the things we have shared - beginning perhaps with the regular over-nites and the ensuing activity of “raiding the ice box” late as we could stay awake. Too, working on the Halloween costumes -- I recall one year we were a hamburger and a hot dog. Those were made of cardboard and red, yellow and white felt !! And the summer vacations in Twain Harte: your darling Dad was NOT to be called Dr. Knorp but Uncle Dudley so he too could enjoy the leisure living.
Following that there are lots of blanks as we never lived as couples nor raised our children in the same vicinity. However, we always shared sweet memories -- sweet friendship.
You are missed, dear friend.
--Me.
I remember Nell always referred to Florence as "Fof", so that is how I picked up this nickname for her. My "Cac" was derived from "Cackles", which referred to my mode of laughter :-) .
ReplyDeleteI guess I am probably Fof's longest-time friend, as we grew up about half a block from each other in North Burlingame. We probably first got acquainted when we started kindergarten at Herbert Hoover Grammar School, to which we rode our Schwinn balloon-tired bikes up and down hills to get there.
Fof had an adorable 2-room "cottage style" play house in the back yard, where we would play with our dolls (Shirley Temple, "Betsey Wetsey", to name a few) and make tea for tea parties with our dolls.
Also in the back yard was a huge willow tree that we loved to climb up into. Some Sunday mornings we would meet and read the funnies before getting dressed up and going off to church, driven by one of our parents. As we grew older, we were allowed to walk a few blocks from church to attend a movie: 25 cents! Church (St. Paul's Episcopal, Burlingame) was a long way from our homes, so this was quite an experience for us.
We loved to climb trees and often walked across the street from Fof's house to the Sisters of Mercy Convent grounds and climbed the lovely spreading oaks, playing "Robin Hood" in the forest. As we both took piano lessons from Sister Mary de Chantal at the Convent and had piano recitals there, we felt quite at home on the grounds. It was also a high school for girls. Will was the nun's doctor and Nell was always baking cookies and goodies for them. Fof and I often played duets at the recitals--really fun!
There were many sleep-overs. I remember rainy days playing dress-up in our mothers' castoffs and arguing who would get the beautiful satin dress and velvet cloak Fof wore for Halloween--we loved to make up costumes. I had on my Dad's tuxedo and Fof that gown in the Halloween pictures.
Our Moms took turns driving us up to "Iceland" in San Francisco to take ice skating lessons. We had visions of becoming the next Sonja Henie (very popular in the 1930s and 40s). Neither one of us fulfilled our great expectations but had a lot of fun.
We loved puppets and decided to make our own and put on puppet shows. It took forever to make 3 or 4 puppets and I remember using blocks of wood for the heads and painting faces on them and gluing yarn on for hair. We used to go into hysterics covering up the deformed faces with the wild hair--"the hair will cover up the goofs."
I remember when "Baby Bill" (no offense, Bill) was born and we had to "tip toe" and "hush hush" around so he could get his nap. I remember running around Fof's house with Bill chasing us.
I remember going on vacation to Pinecrest Lake with the Knorps during the early 40s. There was gas rationing due to World War II and we were lucky to get there from the Bay Area.
We were "mad about" movie stars and read and re-read every "movie mag" we could get our hands on and had photos of our favorites hung up on the walls of our bedrooms. Like the rock stars of today, we got to see and "swoon" over the likes of Sinatra, Clark Gable, Van Johnson, Judy Garland.
We used to roller skate around our block from Fof's house to mine and often were seen to have bruised knees and elbows. We played games with other neighborhood kids like "kick the can", "Red Rover", "one-foot-in-the-gutter", hide and seek, plus Monopoly endlessly.
Fof moved from my neighborhood about the time just before we started high school, so we didn't see as much of each other, but were in the same high school, so kept up our friendship.
Fof went off to Stanford for college and Punk & I went over to Cal Berkeley and were close friends in our sorority. I married the day after I graduated and both Punk & Fof were bridesmaids. We kept in touch when we were first married. Then my husband (Bill Orchison) went into the Air Force for his commitment to the Korean War and we were away about three years. Fof and Pete got married while we were away and became parents of Mary Ellen and Amy. I was godmother for Amy and Fof was godmother for my first child Marianne, born in 1959. They lived in Berkeley where they met Craig & Anne Harper, also friends of ours, and we lived in Orinda raising our family. Fof and Pete then moved out to Walnut Creek, tho' we saw them sparingly--so busy raising the families. We moved to Washington DC 1975-1984, so rarely saw them in those days, and they moved up to Philo and Marin County.
I was at my parent's house when my Mom received a phone call from my cousin Amy about Aunt Flo's condition. While I knew things were grim, I was saddened to find out a few days later of her passing.
ReplyDeleteI've spent hours thinking about Aunt Flo and have many fond memories. I was lucky enough to spend holidays in the Bates home. I remember at Easter looking out Sarah's bedroom window in hopes of catching the Easter Bunny leaving goodies in the backyard. I remember the delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in their dining room and learning to say "May I please be excused". I remember at Christmas time baking candy cane cookies with her - I still bake them every year but they are never as good as hers. I remember flying by myself all the way from Sacramento to San Jose (it seemed far when I was 8) to stay with Aunt Flo and Uncle Pete and how much fun we had together...just the 3 of us.
My Aunt Flo and I share in common our love for dogs. I can still remember the dogs they had when I was little, Heather and Patsy. She was so gentle with them and them with her. I loved swapping dog stories with her as she could appreciate them.
I am so thankful to have spent time with Aunt Flo and Uncle Pete these past few years, in Auburn for birthdays and Hartley reunions in Ferndale. I cherish the time we spent together. My one wish is that our 11 month old son, Hunter, could have met his Aunt Flo. But he will know her through the stories and pictures we will share with him as he gets older.
I will miss her soothing voice, her sweet laugh and her smile. She always made me smile and she still does. I will miss her dearly. While her passing is sad, my happy memories of her will live with me always.
With love...
Becky (Knorp) Van Gundy
Prescott Valley, AZ
Dear Pete and family,
ReplyDeleteI wish Mary and I could be there. I suppose the next best thing is to comply with the request and contribute to the blog.
I’ve known Pete since grade school, and we have kept up pretty well considering we have never lived anywhere near each other since Stanford, where we parted company in June, 1953. That was when Pete and Flo got married. By that time I had known Flo for a couple of years since they started dating. The ratio in those days, with all the returning vets, was 3 1⁄2 to 1, and Pete was lucky to get her interest at first, as I was to get the interest of Noelle. We double-dated at times and the two of them always seemed delighted to be together.
Here are a couple of pictures from the wedding. I don’t think I was part of the wedding party, probably because I was commissioned that day and my wedding to Noelle was the next day. Anyway you can tell they were a happy couple ready to launch into a new life together.
Second from left in the top photo, next to me, is Tod Wakefield, who was best man at my wedding on the following day in Hermosa Beach.
At that point we thought we had all parted company for a while. Both Pete and I were headed overseas, but he in the Air Force and I in the Navy. However, we were wrong. I’m sure you have heard this story, but unknown to each other, we had both planned to honeymoon at the Del Coronado. I at least had a good reason because I was reporting for training at the Amphib base on Coronado Island. I’m not sure of all the emotions we felt learning we were not alone on our honeymoons, but certainly one was surprise. Anyway, we did manage to get one picture of the shy couple.
Time went by all too fast. We more or less kept in touch, but were both busy being on active duty, getting released finally, and starting careers with mixed ambition and uncertainty about what it all meant, and, by the way, raising the families who are now reading this. There was one summer (1962) when we visited the Bates family in, I think, Los Altos. The kids played together for a day or so and a few pictures were taken. This is one that survived all the years and a series of hard drives.
After that, until we got old, we kept in touch with Christmas cards and an occasional phone call, but not much else. These things always seem to happen, and it’s too bad, because most of the time, your best and most intimate friends are those you’ve grown up with.
Luckily, before it was too late, something prompted us to start having reunions in the Northwest. Seattle was out. We wanted quiet. With Wakefield and wife (and his mother at that time) living in Port Townsend, the Olympic Peninsula became the location of choice. Several of us who have known each other since the McGilvra days met there, I believe, in 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2005. That’s a long jump from 1962, but there are some pictures of Flo (mostly), along with the rest of us, that you might appreciate.
I couldn’t find any with Flo from 2005. I think the group picture on the next page was taken after she had to leave part way through the reunion and go to the hospital in Aberdeen due to an infection. Pete came back to pick up their things. Mary and I stopped by the hospital on the way home to make sure they were OK. I remember the hospital, high on a hill with a sweeping view of the harbor.
That’s about all I could find in terms of pictures. Mary and I, and of course Noelle as well, have lots of memories of the contacts with the Bates’ through the years. We have shared many things – all the struggles and successes.
Our biggest legacy exists in you who come from us, who are reading this now. We send our love to you, and our hope for a happy reunion in Moraga. My personal hope for you is that you will take good care of your Dad, and live in the belief that there is life, far better and stronger than the life we now have, yet to come.
Again with love,
Sam
P.S. – I know the pictures, especially the old ones, aren’t very good, but they’re all I have. Besides, you had to be there.
One of the many things I enjoy about Sam since our marriage in 1993 are his friends, especially the school friends from elementary school, high school and college who have made the time to keep in touch and have gathered back in the Seattle area during a number of summers since 1997 to renew relationships.
ReplyDeleteThat is when I met Flo and became better acquainted with her at each successive reunion at Wakefields' in Port Townsend and Ocean Crest Resort on the Washington coast. I shall never forget her gracious participation in the many activities from hikes along the beaches to dinners cooked inside or outside, going out to dinner, hiking up and down the 120-some wooden steps between Ocean Crest Resort and the beach below, sharing current wives' interests, family news, travels and life in general.
I would never have become familiar with Barbara Kingsolver's books if Flo had not told us about them. And so many other things about building their home near Philo, landscaping, plants, and so many wonderful things in life. I don't think there is anything Flo hadn't seen or done. And with such grace. I so admired her abilities.
We will miss her dearly. Reunions will never be the same without her, an original member. I treasure the times I was privileged to spend with her. She has enriched my life and the times spent with the group.
Love and endless gratitude to you, Flo, Pete and your wonderful family,
Mary Stearns
Dear Pete and Family, I'm sorry I could not be there for the memorial especially since visiting this wonderful blog and reading the many tributes to Flo. I most remember her from Stanford days when she and Pete became "an item". And from those days to our occasional meetings in more recent times I was always struck by how Pete and Flo seemed so close and happy with each other.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo some of the comments made above-Flo was a lovely lady. I will always remember her friendly smile and caring way. I'm sure Pete and the rest of the family miss her greatly.
Chuck Wheeler
A sincere privilege it was - IS - to have been included in the lovely, loving celebration of Fauf's life. Makes me miss her all the more but the warm fuzzies that come with the many pictures and comments help alot. And to feel just a bit better acquainted with the "Bates Clan" is a joy and a help as well. You are a stunning family. Joe and I send hugs along with our thank you.
ReplyDeletePunkie