LOUISE ELIZABETH OATES

Louise E. Oates August 16, 1945 – July 10, 2017 Louise Elizabeth Oates (Conn), 71, of Grass Valley, passed away Monday July 10,, 2017 after a 15 year battle with cancer. She was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Lewis Conn & Elizabeth Danner Baker Conn. Later the family moved out to California and settled in the Bay Area. Louise graduated from Lincoln Law University becoming an attorney in 1978 after 4 long years of night school all while working full time and being a single mom. She married the love of her life, Gary, in 1980 and they celebrated their 36th Anniversary this past December 4th. Together they enjoyed traveling, cooking new recipes, making jam, applesauce, canning vegetables as well as having a vegetable garden. Family members and friends always looked forward to receiving a basketful of these goodies each Christmas. While living in Salinas, she worked for Creekbridge Homes as the V.P. of Marketing & Sales for many years. Later working in the legal department for Granite Construction (Watsonville/Sacramento), she was able to use her vast knowledge of the law. At both jobs, she was well liked among her co-workers always ready to join in to whatever was happening at the time, be it a fun lunch, costumes for Halloween or a birthday party. She had a great sense of humor. Her fine eye for detail was shown in her many, many cross stitch pieces and quilts she made over the years. Family and friends were blessed to receive one of these pieces and sometimes a set of her beautiful placemats she stitched as well. She recently enjoyed making baby blankets (quilts) for the Linus Project. At last count she had given close to 40 away. In addition, she enjoyed meeting monthly with her stitching group and gardening, especially planting bulbs, Iris being one of her favorites! Finally her retirement day came and she & Gary were able to enjoy some time of leisure and travel. Unfortunately, this time was cut short as she battled once again with cancer. As before, she was a fierce fighter continuing to have a smile on her face and optimism in her heart despite her circumstances. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. We will all miss her deeply! She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Gary; 3 children, Traci (Hugh), Jeff, Jacque (Jim),siblings Thomas Conn (Judith), Danner Conn (Laurel); 7 grandchildren, Corinne, Casey, Cameron, Nicole & Taylor, Grace & Mia as well as her nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Danner Baker Conn, her father, Lewis Conn, and her sister, Maryanne Swanton. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 6th from 1-4 pm at the LOVE Building at Condon Park, 660 Minnie Street, Grass Valley, CA In lieu of flowers, please donate to: your local chapter of The American Cancer Society or your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the care of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary (530) 273-2446

LOUISE ELIZABETH OATES

August 16, 1945 - July 10, 2017