Gail A. Bates-Toohey

It is with deep love and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a strong and devoted mother, Gail A. (Hitt) Bates-Toohey whose life was defined by unwavering dedication, quiet courage, and a heart that never stopped giving. She was wife of the late Dr. E. Clifford Bates, whom she lost as a young mother, and the late James B Toohey.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Charles H. and Dorothy A. (Lonergan) Hitt, she was raised in Fairhaven where she graduated from Fairhaven High School. She later moved to New Bedford where she raised her family.

Gail was a homemaker while raising her children and later worked as a home health aide and companion for elders.

In her spare time, Gail enjoyed shopping and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She rarely missed a school function, game, recital or whatever her grandchildren were involved in. She was always their biggest fan!

As a mother, she was the steady center of her family — a source of comfort and unconditional love. She taught by example, showing her children the power of perseverance, compassion, and integrity.

Gail was a woman of remarkable strength. She faced life’s hardships with dignity and grace, never losing her ability to care for others even when the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. Her generosity extended far beyond her family; she touched countless lives with her empathy, her listening ear, and her willingness to help anyone in need.

Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the love she gave freely, and the countless memories she created. Though her absence leaves an ache that cannot be measured, her spirit remains in the lives forever shaped by her presence. She will be remembered always, loved endlessly, and missed beyond words.

Gail is survived by her children, Cindy Toli and her husband Steve and David Bates and his wife Ann Marie, all of Taunton, and Kurt Bates and his wife Lisa of Rochester; and her sister, Donna Brennan of Hope Valley, RI. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Jillian Ferreira, Brooklyn Toli, Presley Toli, Hunter Bates, and Owen Bates; her great grandson, Everett Ferreira; and her nieces, Jennifer Rucker and Elizabeth Brennan.

Her funeral service will be held on Thursday July 2nd at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Acushnet Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday July 1st from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.