Lenore A. Bates, 69, a mother to five sons, died Friday of respiratory failure in Evanston Hospital. “Her main hobby was her boys, including me,” said Robert J. Bates, her husband of 48 years. Mrs. Bates often stressed the value of education to her children. “We just felt the best thing we could give them was a good education, to help prepare them for their lives,” Bates said, noting that collectively the five sons have five bachelor’s degrees, four master’s, and two doctorates. Mrs. Bates went to Trinity High School and then attended Rosary College in River Forest for two years. She later did administrative work for Northwestern University’s development department. Besides her husband, Mrs. Bates’ survivors include her five sons, Robert J. Jr., Christopher J., John J., Joseph A. and Thomas A.; a sister, Mary Kralovec; and eight grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1077 Tower Rd., Winnetka.
