Carrie Marie Yates

To the waters and the wild

With a faery, hand in hand,

For the world's more full of weeping than you

can understand.

Yeats, “Stolen Child”

On August 25, 2023 Carrie Marie Yates departed peacefully from this earth, her long-term partner and soulmate, Alex Massanek by her side. In her final days, Carrie was surrounded by her family and friends who loved her dearly. Carrie was the beloved eldest daughter of Katherine and Thomas Yates and cherished sister of Christine and Matthew Yates. She is survived by a large, loving family including grandmother Charlotte Parker, many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

Carrie Marie was born on August 26, 1979 in Howard County, Maryland. She relocated to Baltimore County with her family in her early years and remained in the Baltimore area throughout her life. Carrie attended and graduated from Hereford High School where she was extremely active. While earning exceptional grades she also managed to engage in the sport of cheerleading, swimming and diving. She was admired for her exceptional soprano vocals, earning her places in multiple choirs, including an exclusive spot on the All State and All-Eastern Vocal Choir. She performed in church and high school musicals, was a talented piano player as well as a self-taught guitar player. Her art work was exhibited throughout the county in a variety of community art venues. Following high school, Carrie continued her formal education earning a double major degree, incorporating her love of art and mathematics at York College of Pennsylvania.

Carrie is remembered as a free spirited, unique and beautiful soul, passionate about her ideals, strongly faithful to those she loved including her beloved pets. Her fun-loving uniqueness was noted from the moment she was born. She adored all things ‘princess’ and fae. As a young child, rather than saying please and thank you, Care’s magic word was “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.”. Care was often pictured wearing her famous cat ears, tiaras or fairy wings. She found inspiration from these influences throughout her life, incorporating the concepts of fae and nature into her many creative projects. Her creativeness extended to writing poetry, song lyrics and stories. She loved dancing and meeting friends through the World of Warcraft game. She was able to incorporate many styles and mediums in her artwork including painting, charcoal drawings, metal work, ceramics and jewelry making. Carrie was well known for staying up long hours through the night, finishing her projects at the last minute to ensure they were just as she imagined. Among other occupations, Carrie worked for Maryland China, her porcelain designs highlighted and sold in nationwide catalogs.

Not only a beautiful soul, Carrie was also noted for her exotic natural beauty, modeling throughout the country and overseas, most notably in Australia and Japan. Other prominent experiences included performing in the 30-year Woodstock revival in 1999, appearing on a national morning television show and many fashion magazines and other fashion mediums.

Though Carrie Marie’s time on this earth was too soon cut short, she touched, influenced and impacted so many lives. Her fundamental kindness always prevailed.

If I could tell the world just one thing

It would be that we're all ok

And not to worry because worry is wasteful

And useless in times like these.

I will not be made useless

I won't be idled with despair

I will gather myself around my faith

For light does the darkness most fear.

My hands are small, I know,

But they're not yours they are my own

And I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters

Jewel, “Hands”

The family is planning a private celebration of life in Carrie’s memory.

Please feel welcome to share stories and kind words.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Carrie’s memory to the Animal Rescue Society or the MD Humane Society. Thank you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com for the Yates family.