Remembering Nancy Yates, teacher and artist who helped preserve wild spaces

Nancy Carol Yates, a talented teacher, artist and dancer who lived in Berkeley for the last 50 years, died peacefully on Dec. 14 comforted by her niece.

Nancy was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Aug. 17, 1940. She grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, with her mother, sister and brothers. Nancy had a passion for learning and helping others to learn and earned her teaching degree through Eastern Michigan University while living with her beloved Aunt Violet (Wuerfel) Clark. Nancy moved to Boston and then California, continuing her teaching career. Nancy taught second
grade at Redwood Day School in Oakland. Even in her retirement Nancy continued to tutor children, opening up their worlds through reading. Nancy valued education and was a lifelong learner and had a passion for words. 

Nancy had many dear friends in the Bay Area and cherished celebrating their lives together; her friends became a part of her family. She loved hiking nature trails with friends and their pets. Nancy had great neighbors who she loved, and they loved her; one special one she shared a birthday with. She loved the Rose Garden in Berkeley and her spectacular view of the bay from her apartment. She enjoyed talking on the phone with friends and family members and was always interested in what they were doing, finding out what adventures they were having, books they were reading, and sharing her adventures with them. During trips to Michigan throughout her life Nancy was always surrounded by family who loved her dearly. 

Nancy was extremely concerned with the environment, the preservation of wild spaces and the state of the planet. She was an active member of Friends of Five Creeks removing invasive plant species, helping to maintain healthy waterways. She was also active with 350.org. Nancy loved nature, the earth and spending time in the outdoors.

Nancy was also an artist and had a talent for drawing portraits and capturing the beauty of nature and people through many different mediums including watercolor and photography. Nancy enjoyed participating in art shows and had a number of her drawings featured in an art book published by a friend entitled Drawings from the Ripe Side of the Brain: Elders Exploring Art. Nancy also loved to dance, and enjoyed participating in dance teams, Jaylon, Turkish Dancing and Folk Dancing, performing with dear friends throughout her life.  

Nancy was the daughter of the late Ruth (Wuerfel) Yates and Olen Yates. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Debbie (Yates) Matthews, Susan (Yates) Kluck, and her husband Larry Kluck, Michael Yates and his wife Jutta Yates, Kathy (Yates) Bolton. Robert Yates, and his wife Heather (Ferguson) Yates, Cheryl (Yates) Richmond, and Paul Yates. Jerry Yates and his wife Kathy, Steve Yates and his wife Jennie, Lisa Yates. Larry Yates and Mark Yates.  

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her sister Beverly (Yates) Chisnel, and her niece Leslie, brother Gerald Yates and his wife Laura (Genie), brothers Gorden Yates, Larry Yates and his wife Sue, nephew Paul, brother Donald Yates and his wife Frances, and brother Bill Yates. 

Nancy loved life and cherished her dear friends and family. Nancy was our beloved aunt and friend and she will be deeply missed. 

A gathering of friends/family will be scheduled in the coming month(s) to commemorate Nancy’s life and allow for the casting of Nancy’s ashes in her beloved bay.