Kathryn Margaret (Campbell) Bates, age 97, passed away on January 19, 2012 in the White Horse area near Darrington. Kathryn was born on December 6, 1914 near Darrington, at the foot of White Horse Mountain, to John and Elizabeth Campbell. The house where she was born still stands and serves as a family reunion gathering place for her extended family of four generations. Kathryn was one of eight children. She attended White Horse Grade School, Irving School, where she remembered walking two miles to school in three feet of snow, and graduated from Darrington High School in 1933. She moved to Seattle where she worked until marrying Walter T. Bates in July 1937. They moved back to Darrington and enjoyed residing there through their 69 years of marriage, living in their home for 60 years. They were proud of their garden which was reputed to be the best in town. Kathryn canned or shared the fruits and vegetables from her garden with her friends in town. She was an active community member. She helped raise money to build the Darrington Clinic, was a member of the Darrington Senior Center, the Garden Club, and enjoyed her pinochle club. She also volunteered her services at the National Archery Tournament. Kathryn worked at several stores in town and retired from Darrington Post Office after 13 years. She was known for her lemon pies, Tarheel beans, and dill pickles. Three years after her husband’s passing Kathryn moved to Olympic Place in Arlington. Although Kathryn met and enjoyed many special friends there, Darrington always remained her home in her heart. She found many reasons to continue to spend time in Darrington and return to live out her final days near her birth place and with a view of her beloved White Horse Mountain. Preceding Kathryn in death were her parents, her loving husband, her four sisters and her three brothers. Kathryn is survived by her son, Jack (Rickie) Bates of Arlington, WA; granddaughter Kristen (Norman) Fischer and great grandsons, Karl and Andreas of Colfax, WA; Loren (Nichole) Bates and great grandsons, Isaac and Holden of Bellingham, WA; and grandson, Brandon Bates of Vancouver, B.C. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Schillhammer, Hospice of Snohomish County and Avalon Family Group Home in Darrington for the loving care they provided Kathryn. Viewing will be held Friday, January 27, 2012, noon to 5:00pm at Weller Funeral Home, 327 N MacLeod Ave, Arlington, WA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1200 E 5th St, Arlington, WA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Darrington Clinic, P.O. Box 309, Darrington, WA 98241; Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, P.O. Box 69, Arlington, WA 98223 or Darrington Memorial Dinners, P.O. Box 608, Darrington, WA 98241.
Arrangements under the direction of Weller Funeral Home, Arlington, WA.
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