Obituary of Kathryn Elizabeth Bates

Kay Bates, of Milwaukie, passed away peacefully Nov. 11, 2018, with family by her side. She was 91. Born in Portland July 19, 1927 to Maxwell and Lila Sturgis, Kay attended Franklin High School before graduating from Tigard High. She studied at Willamette University before transferring to Lewis & Clark College where she met her future husband of over 60 years, Charles R. Bates, Sr.

Kay was a deeply loving and caring mother who raised three children as the family moved between Seattle, Kalama and Milwaukie. She was an excellent cook and had a passion for quilting, gardening and art. She is survived by her children, Rob Bates (Julie), Stephen Bates (Jodi) and Janet Frazier (Lee); as well as five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews; and her brother, Richard Sturgis. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Willamette Falls (formerly Atkinson Memorial Church), 710 6th St., Oregon City, OR.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Kay’s memory to the Oregon Food Bank.