Violet B. (Nicotera) Bates, 91 of Rockland died on September 9, 2010 at the South Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rockland. She was born in Utica, NY daughter of the late Salvatore and Aida (Vanetossi) Nicotera and was raised and educated there. She was a member of the inaugural class at Quincy College and later earned her degree in teaching from Eastern Nazarene College. She had a long career as a teacher at Archbishop Williams High School. Violet had been a longtime Quincy and Weymouth resident and has made her home in Rockland for the past 13 years. Wife of the late Joseph E. Bates and mother of the late James J. Bates, she is survived by her daughter in law Frances J. Bates of Rockland, a brother Raymond Nicotera of NY as well as 4 grandchildren and a great grandson. The Bates family welcomes loved ones and friends to celebrate Violet’s life on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home, 135 Union St., ROCKLAND. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday September 16, 2010 at 9:00 AM in Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Rockland.