Janet M. Bates

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Janet M. Bates, age 81, of Main Street, passed away on Wednesday November 5, 2025 in Bassett Medical Center , Cooperstown.

She was born July 19, 1944 in Cooperstown, a daughter of the late Orlo G. and Dorothy Higbie Woodbridge. She was raised and educated in Edmeston and a graduate of Edmeston High School. On June 19, 1965 she married George C. Bates, Jr. in Edmeston a blessed union of twenty-nine years until his passing on March 27, 1996. For over thirty years Janet worked for New York Central Mutual Insurance Company in Edmeston as an IT Dept, retiring in 2009.

Janet was one who enjoyed many things in life, cooking, going shopping, trips to the casino, not to mention she was a huge George Jones fan. She was very active with youth groups, she was troop leader with the Girl Scouts, she taught Sunday School, and she was a 4-H leader. One of her favorite things was being a season camper. She enjoyed being at camp  where she made many friends and always loved a good party.

She was a friend to many and will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her son Joel Bates and his wife Rebecca of West Edmeston, her daughter Heather Snyder and fiancé David Pierce of Richfield Springs, her long time companion Steven Kane of Richfield Springs, a brother Dennis Woodbridge and his wife Liz of New Berlin, two sisters Sharon Scanlon and her husband Roger of Schenevus, Phyllis Jackson and her husband Douglas of Oneida, a sister-in-law Sharon Upson and her husband Stuart of Schuyler, four grandchildren Hayleigh Snyder and her companion Lester Bozeat, Mason Snyder, Ariah Mitchell and her fiancé Russell Krakick, Justice Mitchell and his wife Samantha, three great-grandchildren Atlas Bozeat who was very special to Janet, Jillian and Phoebe Mitchell, several nieces nephews and the Kane and Crane families, and her dearest friend of eighty years Lorraine Washburn.

Calling hours for Mrs. Bates will take place on Sunday November 16th from 2:30-4:00pm a funeral service to follow in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Inc.40 West James Street, Richfield Springs.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in donation in her memory to the Richfield Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad envelopes will be available in the funeral home.

Janet's family would like to express their deepest thanks to the NYS Police and Richfield Springs Rescue Squad for the care that was given to her.