Shirley Anne Bates

Shirley Anne Bates, 81, passed away on May 6, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born on June 10, 1941, in Indianapolis in the Slovenian community of Haughville. There she attended grade school at Holy Trinity parish and later graduated from Scecina Memorial High School. Like many people who grew up on the near-west side of Indianapolis she was subsequently employed by Allison Transmission.

It was while there that she was introduced to the love of her life, Jack Bates. Following a brief courtship, they were engaged and then married on June 15, 1963. At that point they joined the congregation of St. Michael’s where they have stayed through this day. In that community they built a family and a close-knit group of friends who have provided support through thick and thin.

Shirley had many things that brought her joy in life. She and Jack were avid competitors in disco dancing, and she was one of the early aerobics’ instructors in the city. Later in life she found great passion in reading and shared this with members of her long-term book club. The strongest and most encompassing joy of her life was simply spending time with family. Whether it was time spent on trips, different events, or a meal at the dinner table, she was always happy to be there.

In later years, she developed issues related to kidney disease which would be with her for the rest of her life. Despite this she was bound and determined not to let this slow her down. It did not. She continued to enjoy all her passions. Thanks to the gift of a kidney from her daughter, Lara, she was able to pursue this more fully.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Louise and John, her brother, John, and her sister, Lillian. She is survived by her husband, Jack, and children, Chris, Lara, Lisa, and Paul, her brother, Ronnie, as well as multiple grandchildren and a great grandchild.

There will be a viewing at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park North from 4pm-6pm on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023. The address is 2706 Kessler Blvd, W Dr, Indianapolis, IN, 46228. Her Celebration of Life will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on May 11th at 10:30am. The address is 3354 W 30th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46222.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to either the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org) or the Patachou Foundation (patachoufoundation.org/donate).