Born Paulette Bates to Rosina and Leslie Bates in London England. Sadly missed by her children Maret (Steven), Richard (Kathy), Paul (Shelley), and grandchildren Rain, Jazz, Tianna, Kairo, and Kobi. Predeceased by her infant son Ian (1968-1969).
Paulette spent much of her childhood in New Radnor, Wales, during World War Two when she and her mother left their London home to avoid the bombing. After the war they returned to London and Paulette won a scholarship to a prestigious girls Public School. Paulette’s lifelong love of travel and theatre began in her late teens.
After working for the civil service and completing teacher training, she married Margus Tae in 1960. They lived in Chippenham where Maret was born (1961) and Bath, where Richard was born (1963). In 1966 the family moved to Canada, buying a house in the west end of Toronto. Paulette immediately joined a local theatre group, Mississauga players, and remained involved with various local theatre groups for the next five decades.
Paul was born in 1969. Paulette and the children visited relatives in the UK every few years, particularly Paulette’s parents who had built a home in New Radnor and retired there in 1962.
With great creativity, Paulette made most of the children's clothes in the '60s, as well as several extravagant dresses for herself. She also knit dozens of sweaters and other items for her children and grandchildren, with her own original designs. She also expressed her creativity with gardening, designing and developing gardens at both of her homes.
Paulette returned to teaching in 1971, starting as a supply teacher and retiring 30 years later as a math teacher at Lorne Park Secondary School. Paulette obtained a math degree from York university in the mid seventies, attending night courses while working.
Margus built a Mirror Dinghy in 1972, and the family joined the Ontario Mirror Dinghy Association (OMDA). Paulette enjoyed camping, sailing and socializing with OMDA for the rest of her life. She traveled to BC in her van for the Canadians, and to Ireland for worlds. She helped run sailing camps and race committees. The highlight of the camping season was the week or two spent at Kilbear Provincial Park for Mirror week. Paulette must have attended over 30 times, by my estimate!
She separated from her husband in 1980, later divorcing. Paulette began travelling to Florida every March Break, and then further into the Caribbean, cruising on sailboats from island to island.
In 1987 she moved to her house in Port Credit, Mississauga where she lived for 28 years. Richard and Paul lived nearby for a few years. She conscientiously visited daughter Maret as she moved to various small towns in Northern Ontario, trying out snowshoeing, fishing and bush camping.
Paulette joined the Port Credit Yacht Club, near her new home, adding another circle of friends to her life. She kept a sailboat at the club initially, and also crewed on other boats. She served on the race committee for several years.
Her first grandchild, Rain (1995) usually spent a week with her in the summer, going on various adventures like African Lion Safari, Ontario Place, CN Tower, Medieval Times and Spamalot. More grandchildren followed; Jazz (2002), Tianna (2003), Kairo (2005), Kobi (2007), bringing more joy.
Upon retiring in 1998, Paulette began to seriously travel. She took long trips around the world every couple of years, visiting exotic and faraway places such as Easter Island, New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, Fiji….
No story of Paulette’s life would be complete without mentioning her love of cats. She always had one or two cats as companions, all of whom have predeceased her except Simon.
We hope to host a memorial gathering in the Autumn in Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations to World Wildlife Fund Canada, a charity supported by Paulette, could be made.