Carol Ardis Yates, 82, of Bristol, passed away at her home on Jan. 9.
Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of Ernest and Minnie Hatch.
Carol graduated with high honors from Bristol High School in 1942. Shortly after graduation, she married Ronald O. Yates and together they raised their family in Bristol.
Carol was the Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters from 1957 to 1977, and the Bristol Tax Collector from 1974 to 1985. She was a longtime member of the Seaside Grange, and Route 66 Snowmobile Club, and was active in the Bristol Extension for 65 years.
Carol had a kind heart and a wonderful sense of humor. Her family and friends were very important to her. She loved the outdoors, fishing, snowmobiling, and delighted in a good snowstorm. She would often be found in the passenger seat of her husband’s plow truck.
She spent a great deal of time cooking and canning vegetables. More recently, she enjoyed watching the birds. Carol was well known for her sewing, creating stuffed toys, alterations, and crafts, knitting, crocheting, and hooked rugs. She also enjoyed collecting dolls, glass slippers, and salt and peppershakers.
She was predeceased by two half-sisters, Evelyn Stiles and Rena Curtis; half-brother, Percy Cunningham; and nephew, Donald Weston, Jr.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ronald Yates of Bristol; children, Linda McLain and husband David of Pemaquid, Philip Yates of Searsport, Paul Yates of Pemaquid, and Cathy Dencenburg and husband Mike of Beaver Dams, N.Y.; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces, Vivian Colpitt and husband Robert of Farmington, N.H., and Marsha Davis and husband Stephen of Cape Coral, Fla.
Funeral 1 p.m., Fri., Jan. 12 at Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
She will be laid to rest in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Round Pond.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bristol First Responders, 104 South Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
Arrangements are under the care of Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.
