Mary Jweid Bates (June 14, 1928, Utica, NY – September 30, 2024, Rochester, NY) Our beloved mother, Mary Jweid Bates, 96, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones. She was a vibrant and energetic woman who never seemed to tire from caring for her family, preparing incredible meals, working in her garden, or sharing her good humor with everyone she met. Mary was generous, loving and would help anyone in need. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. Three years ago, Mary suffered a stroke at age 93 that slowed her pace and challenged her independence, although her spirit remained intact.
Her parents, George Jweid and Zaheda (Mary) Hallak, immigrated from Aleppo, Syria with their parents who settled in Utica, NY at the turn of the 20th century. A large community of Syrian and Lebanese families attended St. Basil Melkite Catholic Church, where George and Zaheda met and were married. They had three sons and five daughters that were a lively and loving family. Her father and uncles established several neighborhood grocery stores known as Jweid & Sons and Mary and her siblings were involved in the family business. She even learned to work in their butcher shop.
Mary graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1946 and during her high school years she volunteered as a Red Cross candy striper. She had wanted to become a nurse, until the first patient she was to care for was already deceased. After a swift career change, Mary worked at General Electric as a circuit board assembler. That’s where she met the handsome, young foreman, James Bates.
After a brief engagement, Mary and Jim were married in June of 1954. They started their lives together in Utica, New York and enjoyed music, dancing, and socializing with their extended families. They started their own family and had five children over the next twelve years. Mary and Jim moved to Rochester in 1965, to engage in a new job opportunity and family adventure. When their children were grown, she went to work full time at Rochester Telephone, as a night shift operator. Mary retired after seventeen years of service with a full pension and a number of lifelong friendships with her female colleagues.
After 56 years of marriage, her adoring husband Jim, passed away in October 2010. Mary continued to enjoy her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, attending ball games, school concerts and plays, art exhibitions, graduations and weddings and also began traveling. She made sure everyone received birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards that included a little cash to celebrate with. Mary has always been the center and strength of her family and our memories of her will be her greatest gift to all who loved her.
Mary is predeceased by her husband, James Leo Bates; survived by her children Sharon Bates (Paul Miyamoto), Lynda (Terry) Stinson; James Bates; David Bates; Kathy (Timothy) Thomas; her beloved sister and lifelong friend, Jean Zombik; her grandchildren Erica Schultz (Zack Zeigler); Krista Fragos (James Snyder); Justin Schultz (Kim); Jessica Bates; Daniel Thomas (Natasha); Benjamin Thomas; and Jonathan Bates (Hannah); her great grandchildren Finneas and Beatrice Snyder; Ariana and Alexander Schultz; Olive and Everett Zeigler; Marceline and Dawson Bates; and many nieces and nephews. Mary is predeceased by her parents George and Zaheda Jweid; her siblings Anna Wakeel; Alice Mekel; Louis Jweid;
Agnes Cerro; Anthony Jweid; and Frances Jweid.
There will be a memorial mass on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 533 Humboldt Street, Rochester, NY 14610, where Mary was a devoted parishioner for almost six decades. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
In Loving Memory of Dominic LaSpina
Vincent J Boccardo
Jay C Walley
Dorothy F. O’Neil