Dorothy ‘Dot’ Bates

MILLERTON — Dorothy “Dot” Bates, 92, a long-time area resident, died peacefully in the comfort of her home on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.  

Born in New Milford, Conn., in 1928, she was the daughter of the late Sophie (Wegloski) and Wesley Traver. Her father referred to her as his “favorite son” as they enjoyed many adventures together. 

She was married to Ralph Edwin Breen, who passed away in 1955. She remarried to Wheaton Joseph Bates, who died in 1996.  

She is survived by her sister, Elaine Zeitler of Pompano Beach, Fla.; two sons, Lynn David Breen of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Ralph Charles Breen of Glen Rose, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Bouck of Metairie, La.; and her daughter, Karen Bates Dubray of Ancramdale; as well as 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and another great-grandson due in July. Her eldest son, John Robert Breen, died in 2009. 

Mrs. Bates held many unique jobs throughout her life ranging from driving a horse team, being a plane spotter during World War II, driving a delivery truck to bookkeeping. She designed and helped fell the trees to build the family’s homes in the woods. 

She was an avid reader who enjoyed studying and researching many topics, including local history and genealogy. She loved gardening and being outdoors to observe nature but she is best known for her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. She was baptized in 1958 and for over 60 years she could be found regularly at the Kingdom Hall or preaching in the door-to-door ministry. She loved sharing the Bible’s message of the Kingdom of God and hope for the future.  

She always said she met a lot of good people in her time, and a lot of people were good to her. Thank you.

Her family wishes to thank all those who helped in her care, which allowed her to remain home with family during her final days. 

Due to COVID restrictions, a memorial service will be held virtually at a later date. In lieu of flowers she suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Millerton Fire Company, P.O. Box 733, Millerton, NY 12546. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton. 

To send online condolences, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com. 

Latest News

Mountaineers fall 3-0 to Wamogo

Anthony Foley caught Chase Ciccarelli in a rundown when HVRHS played Wamogo Wednesday, May 1.

Riley Klein

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School varsity baseball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wamogo Regional High School Wednesday, May 1.

The Warriors kept errors to a minimum and held the Mountaineers scoreless through seven innings. HVRHS freshman pitcher Chris Race started the game strong with no hits through the first three innings, but hiccups in the fourth gave Wamogo a lead that could not be caught.

Keep ReadingShow less
The artist called ransome

‘Migration Collage' by ransome

Alexander Wilburn

If you claim a single sobriquet as your artistic moniker, you’re already in a club with some big names, from Zendaya to Beyoncé to the mysterious Banksy. At Geary, the contemporary art gallery in Millerton founded by New Yorkers Jack Geary and Dolly Bross Geary, a new installation and painting exhibition titled “The Bitter and the Sweet” showcases the work of the artist known only as ransome — all lowercase, like the nom de plume of the late Black American social critic bell hooks.

Currently based in Rhinebeck, N.Y., ransome’s work looks farther South and farther back — to The Great Migration, when Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and the public violence of lynching paved the way for over six million Black Americans to seek haven in northern cities, particularly New York urban areas, like Brooklyn and Baltimore. The Great Migration took place from the turn of the 20th century up through the 1970s, and ransome’s own life is a reflection of the final wave — born in North Carolina, he found a new home in his youth in New Jersey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Four Brothers ready for summer season

Hospitality, ease of living and just plain fun are rolled into one for those who are intrigued by the leisure-time Caravana experience at the family-owned Four Brothers Drive-in in Amenia. John Stefanopoulos, pictured above, highlights fun possibilities offered by Hotel Caravana.

Leila Hawken

The month-long process of unwrapping and preparing the various features at the Four Brothers Drive-In is nearing completion, and the imaginative recreational destination will be ready to open for the season on Friday, May 10.

The drive-in theater is already open, as is the Snack Shack, and the rest of the recreational features are activating one by one, soon to be offering maximum fun for the whole family.

Keep ReadingShow less