A celebration of life and service
Margo Bates passed away peacefully at her long time home in Salt Lake City on August 1, 2004, at the age of 65.
Margo was born in American Fork, Utah, the daughter of Harold C. Bates and Iris Warr Bates. She attended Salt Lake City Schools, graduating from East High School. After graduation she joined the United States Navy, serving her Country honorably as a Hospital Corpsman for four years, including long periods of sea duty, crossing the Atlantic 44 times. After her discharge she returned to school at Weber State University, where she earned a degree in Medical Technology. Her successful career as a Medical Technologist spanned over 30 years, beginning with the St. Marks Hospital and then to the Associated Regional University Pathologists in Salt Lake City. She retired in 2000.
Demonstrating her lifelong practice of service to her community, Margo was a prominent and active member of several charitable and service organizations Salt Lake City. She was a longtime member of the Gateway Chapter of the Business and Professional Women. She served in many capacities for the local chapter, was Woman of the Year in 1992-1993.
She also served the Utah State BPW organization in leadership capacities, including its President in 2003-2004.
Margo was also a leader in the Sarah Daft Home, a 501© (3) organization which owns and operates a senior retirement center in Salt Lake City. She was a member of that organization's Board of Trustees, served a Committee Chair, and was a prominent and successful fund raiser in the many events sponsored by Sarah Daft Home. Another example of her altruism and service was her volunteer work at the Allen B. Warr Memorial Park in Erda, Utah, supporting slow pitch softball.
She was known to be a tireless worker, always with good humor, good ideas and always an infectious ethic of giving back and making a better life for others.
Margo is survived by her brothers, Gary Bates, of Salt Lake City, Utah; LeRoy Bates, of Heber, Arizona; and Laren Bates, of Surprise, Arizona, along with numerous nieces, nephews.
She will be cremated and a private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. All who knew Margo were blessed and will forever remember a woman who gave back to her family, her work, and her community in an exemplary and selfless manner.