Obituaries 09-25-2019

Louise Yates

Educator and Long Time Volunteer

Louise E. Yates, 96, of Merrimac, MA passed away on Sept. 18 with her family by her side. Louise was born on October 30, 1922 to Katherine (Mountain) McLain and Albert T. McLain. She was the eighth of nine children.

Louise enjoyed school and was proud of her education. She attended a one room school house in Bremen, ME and was valedictorian of her high school class in 1940. She attended Gorham State Teachers College where she lived in Dr. and Mrs. Bailey’s house, earning her room and board. She graduated from Gorham in 1944 with a B.S. in Education. She stayed at Gorham to complete her Masters in Education in 1946. Louise continued her education throughout her teaching career, earning an additional 45 credits. She taught elementary school in both Belmont and Malden for 38 years before retiring in 1985.

Louise married Thomas G. Yates of Everett, MA on Oct. 10, 1952. They were married for 20 years until Tom’s death in 1973. They resided in the Yates family home in Everett.

Louise was an active member of the First United Parish in Everett where she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. She served on numerous church committees during her time in Everett.  While living in Everett she tutored for the Everett Literacy Program and was a member of the advisory board. She was appointed by the Mayor as a member of the board of the Everett Citizens’ Recycling Team and volunteered for the Bread of Life program distributing food to the needy.

Always believing that education was extremely important, Louise served as president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Gorham Alumni Association, president of the North Suburban Chapter of the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts (REAM) and Secretary for 12 years of the Edith Stewart Chase Foundation. She was also a docent at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA for many years and loved teaching school children about animals.

Louise moved to Merrimac in 2009 and was active at the Merrimac Senior Center. She volunteered at Our Little Gift Shop 2 mornings a week and was on the committee for the gift shop as well.

Louise enjoyed gardening, traveling and reading and passed those loves along to her only daughter, Janet, and granddaughter, Lilli. She was so happy to be able to attend Lilli’s college graduation this past May.

Louise is survived by her only daughter, Janet Baumgardner, her granddaughter, Lilli Baumgardner and her son-in-law, Earl Baumgardner of Merrimac. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul C.  Rogers Family Funeral Home, 36 West Main Street, Merrimac. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, Sept. 21 and burial was at the Glenwood Cemetery, Washington Street, Everett, on Monday, Sept. 23.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Merrimack Valley Feline Rescue Society, 63 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA 01952 or Friends of the Merrimac Council on Aging (Peggy’s Pantry) at the Merrimac Senior Center, 100 East Main Street, Merrimac, MA 01860.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *