Louise Ewell Bates

August 2, 1915 - March 21, 2015 Louise Bates, Sun City piano accompanist passed away at Hospice of the Valley.  She is survived by 3 children, 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Louise has been associated with music since the age of seven when she began piano lessons with the Sisters of St. Francis teaching order in Irvington, Indiana.  She attended St. Mary's Academy in Indianapolis and was awarded a 1 year scholarship to St. Francis Normal School, Oldenburg, Indiana (later became Marian College), and a two year scholarship to the Progressive Series Piano Teachers College in Clayton, MO. (became St. Louis Institute of Music).  After her marriage to Willard and four children later, Louise taught piano and related subjects to her children and a few students.  During these years she became known as an accompanist for solo instrumentalists, gym classes, Indianapolis Sinfonietta, school orchestras, choirs, and an occasional church service.  In college she played trumpet with the International Lions Club Band and piano for weekly luncheons for the Rotary Club.  Moving to San Diego was the beginning of a new career.  Her musical activities included shows at various military bases as well as the Los Angeles USO and San Diego Naval Hospital. For the next 37 years Louise added to her repertoire accompaniment for various dance studios, style shows, and variety shows. Sun City Players, the Sun City Salon Ensemble with five men from the Sun City Symphony and dance bands, church services for St. Clement of Rome and St. Joachim and Anne Catholic churches, a fill in for other church denominational services, Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, and the Sun City Male chorus were also added to her accomplishments.  At her residence in El Dorado of Sun City, Louise furnished music for the dinner hour over 40 times during her 17 years of residence including the Bates Trio composed of Louise, Ken Hugo, and Joe Kiefer. Mrs. Bates was also a charter member of Court Madonna for the Catholic Daughters of America and served a two year term as State Regent for said organization in 1982-1984. Some of her other activities included: Children's Literature Diploma where she developed a desire to write; membership in the Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); and the Bridge group at El Dorado. Funeral services will be at St. Clement of Rome, 15800 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ on Friday March 27th.  Rosary at 9 a.m. Viewing - 9:30 to 10; mass at 10 a.m.  The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to:  Court Madonna #2067.