Shirley E. (Bates) Plante

Shirley E. (Bates) Plante passed away on February 19, 2016 at Wingate at East Longmeadow. Born August 3, 1926 in East Longmeadow, the youngest child of the late Wilson and Ruth (Sawtell) Bates, Shirley attended East Longmeadow schools and graduated with honors from Springfield Technical High School. A lifelong resident of East Longmeadow, in her youth she liked to ice skate and was an active member in the East Longmeadow Grange reaching the Seventh Degree level in the organization. Shirley was a wonderful seamstress and knitter and enjoyed making all types of items, including stuffed animals for family and friends. She liked ten pin bowling and attended a number of national conventions. Shirley leaves her devoted husband of 69 years Archie H. Plante and her five children: sons Dennis and his wife Candace of Apollo Beach, FL; Paul and his wife Kimberley of Holland, MA, Donald and his wife Debora of Pawcatuck, Ct; and daughters Denise Cote of Chicopee MA and Lisa Plante of West Springfield, MA. She also leaves one grandson, Daniel Plante and his family of North Clearwater, FL; her brother Donald Bates and his wife Jean of Conway, S.C.; her sister Jean Falk of East Longmeadow, MA, and several nieces and nephews. Shirley also leaves her dedicated private caregiver Mary Williams. Her support of Shirley and the entire family has been priceless to us. She was predeceased by her brother Paul and sister-in-law Edna Bates, her brother-in-law Edwin Falk and her daughter-in-law Barbara Plante. Shirley�s Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 27th at 12 Noon at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Visitation will precede the service on Saturday from 10 am � 12Noon at Wilbraham Funeral Home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown MD 21741-5014.