WEYMOUTH Marilyn D. (Dodge) Bates, 81 years of age, entered Life Eternal at her home after a brief illness surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born in Quincy September 28, 1928 and passed away September 29, 2009. Marilyn was a graduate of the Woodward School for Girls, Class of 1946. She resided in Weymouth for fifty-five years. She was an active member of the Old South Union Congregational Church, South Weymouth where she was a past member of the Board of Trustees and a past superintendent of the Sunday School. She was devoted to Christian education at the church during her long membership and was superintendent of the Sunday School for more than twenty years. Marilyn was a talented artist who painted in oils and watercolors. She also created stained glass windows and lamps. She was an animal lover particularly being devoted to cats and dogs. She was the daughter of the late Lewis P. Dodge and Olive A. (Vergobbi) Dodge. Marilyn was the beloved wife of the late Robert L. Bates who died in 1977. She is survived by three devoted daughters; H. Jay Bates of Abington, Robin Stephens of Seattle, Washington, and Tracy E. Bates of Rockland. She was the devoted mother of the late Robert L. Bates Jr. who died in 2008. She is also survived by a grandson Andrew Stephens of Seattle, Washington. A Funeral Service will be held at the Old South Union Congregational Church, 25 Columbian Street, SOUTH WEYMOUTH on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Terry Martinson Pastor of the Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Visiting hours will be held at the Mortimer N. Peck-Russell Peck Funeral Home, 516 Washington Street, BRAINTREE, Friday, October 2 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be sent to the Last Resort (for cat rescue), 1126 Broadway, Hanover, MA 02339. Marilyn contributed to this fund for many years.