KENNEBUNK — Barbara Evans Yates, 88, a lifelong resident of Kennebunk, died Oct. 5, 2018 with her family by her side at Seal Rock Healthcare Center in Saco where she resided for 18 months.

Barbara was born in Biddeford on June 29, 1930, the daughter of Roy A. Evans and Blanche L. Evans. She graduated from Kennebunk High School, Class of 1949. She attended Gorham State Teachers College for two years.

She married the love of her life, J. Russell Yates on Oct. 11, 1951. They helped run the family hotel, The Sagamore, later known as The Sea Spray. Then, she stayed at home with their children until the early 1970s when she started delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service.

Barbara became a Deputy Town Clerk in 1978 and continued as an Assistant Town Clerk from 1992 until 2005. She loved working for the Town of Kennebunk where she had the opportunity to meet and help many residents. One of her favorite accomplishments was graduating from the “1st Civilian Police Academy” offered by the Kennebunk Police Department in December 2014. She also loved volunteering for the Police Department.

She loved the ocean, watching the waves on sunny days, as well as stormy ones. She was a backyard naturalist, with beautiful gardens and a wealth of knowledge about birds and animals. She could identify birds by their songs and appearance. She loved cats and dogs, stopping to greet any and all. She also enjoyed traveling with Russell on their many cruises to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and the Middle East. Gambling was another hobby; they frequently went with friends and family to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun and other gambling destinations. They loved spending time in Sanibel, Florida, where they resided for many winters.

Barbara is survived by her children, Steve and his wife, Alice, of Kingfield, Maine, Susan and her husband, Jim Dishner, of Noblesville, Indiana, Bill and his partner, Stacey, of Alfred, Maine, and Jay and his wife, Eileen, of Medway, Massachusetts, as well as 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery on Route 35 in Kennebunk.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094 or call (207) 985-3244, ext. 123.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.

www.bibberfuneral.com

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Barbara’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

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