A Life Well Lived
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ "Friends of Deidre Bates" are holding a memorial benefit dinner Saturday July, 19th from 3pm-7pm at the DuQuoin VFW in honor of Deidre Bates. Proceeds from the dinner will be given to Deidre's family to help with the costs of medical treatments that Deidre received and to help plan for the future of her daughters, Madison and Maggie.
Deidre was born on April 1, 1964 and in her 44 years she accomplished many things, but will be remembered most for her selflessness and caring personality expressed through her work and her personal life.
Deidre started her career with Five Star Industries in October of 1992 and she successfully became the Director of Day Program Services through her hard work and dedication. She attained her Masters Degree in social work at Southern Illinois University and also spent her academic internship at Perry County Counseling Center. Deidre was also connected to her community by being a part of the Inter-Agency Council that helps build a coalition of social services in Perry County. She was a devout member of the Whittington Church.
Deidre's proudest and happiest moments would probably be time spent with her family, her marriage to her husband Doug Bates and the births and lives of their two daughters.
Deidre had a two-year battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in which she endured treatment and went into remission twice. Then in December of 2007, the family received the news that the battle with lymphoma was not over. She again endured treatments; but with no success. Deidre passed away on June 25, 2008.
The benefit will include a pork sandwich dinner. The cost will be $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ten and under. This meal includes: a sandwich, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, dessert and a drink. There will be a silent auction featuring: Chicago Bears football autographed by Nick Hill, autographed St. Louis Rams football, St.Louis Cardinals box ticket package, Miners tickets, Holiday World tickets and much more. Michelle Davis and friends will be providing live entertainment.
Local hair dressers Carrie Rendleman, Diana Brown and Abby Ping are donating their services to provide hair cuts for $5.00, and any hair meeting the requirements will be donated to Locks of Love which is an organization that uses the hair to provide wigs for children who lose their hair due to chemotherapy treatments.