Obituary of Fiona Jane Bates

October 23, 1970 – Bangor, Northern Ireland
August 24, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Fiona Bates, beloved partner of Colin Andrews of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the age of 50 years.

Fiona was born in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Her childhood in Ireland was significant for her start in Irish dancing and early childhood education at Ballyholme Primary School. The first grandchild, she was much beloved and adored by her grandparents, Nina and William Briggs of Newtownards, and Edward and Alexandra Bates of Belfast. At the age of 8, her family immigrated to Calgary, which had been her home ever since. 

She continued her Irish dancing in Calgary, traveling with her family across Canada to “Feis” (festivals), celebrating Irish culture and music. She had a fun and fiery nature, bred from her Irish roots – she loved to dance, laugh and occasionally participate in a good-hearted fracas. Further, she funneled this passion for life into her exquisite taste and personal style. Fiona was known for her chic fashion, her eye for interior design, and her brutal honesty (when required for the odd fashion “faux pas”). This passion also fueled an organized and exacting mind; she worked as a highly valued administrative professional for both Calgary law firms and energy corporations alike. 

Fiona was devoted to her four-legged companions, her “fur babies”, Salza and Alexandra; they truly were her “link to paradise”. They took her on endless “walkies”, and she was a well known figure in the dog parks, chatting and making friends of both the other walkers and their canine companions alike. 

Fiona’s passion, her love of life, her style and her devotion to those she loved will be truly missed.

Finally, Fiona would want to extend a warm and special thanks to her loving family and friends at Carewest Signal Pointe: we know that they will also miss their “Ping Ping”. 

Apart from her loving partner Colin, Fiona is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah Bates and Jaysen Wesolosky; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Daphne Bates and their children, Ashlynn, Owen and Ryan; her step-mother Margaret Bates; and extended family in Northern Ireland and New Zealand.  Fiona was predeceased by her beloved parents, Hugh and Carol Bates.

A Celebration of Fiona’s Life will be held at (Chapel Of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 2:30PM.  An Irish Happy Hour will follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Fiona Bates service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. 

In living memory of Fiona Bates, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Fiona's memorial card can be viewed using this link

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