Janet M. Bates

RENSSELAERVILLE — Janet M. Bates — described by her family as a loving person with a lot of grit — died peacefully at home on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, which was the day before her favorite holiday. She was 82.

She was born on Nov. 15, 1939 in Medusa to the late Loren and Nellie Case Winn.

She worked various jobs, including as a cashier at Ames, Cumberland Farms, and Tops; as a piece worker at the rope factory and Becker Electronics; as a poodle groomer at Loving Care Grooming; and as a health-care aide for Greene County Home.

“She was a loving person who had a lot of grit,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She loved her dogs, whom she considered her kids, since she had no children of her own.

“Her favorite holiday was Halloween: People came from all over to see her costumes and decorations each year.

“Janet and her husband, the late Chester ‘Chet’ Bates, were members of a CB Club; her handle was “Tiny.”

She is survived by her sister Lorrine Helmedach, with whom she resided for the past 20 years; her sister Bernice Lee; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, whom she considered as her own children and many of whom she babysat.

In addition to her parents and husband, her brother, Roger Winn, died before her.

Her body was privately cremated. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home at 4898 State Route 81 in Greenville.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Potter Hollow Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Kidney Foundation, 22 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY 12206.