Frances Anne Cates, 83, resident of Aberdeen and former secretary for the Aberdeen School District, died Saturday, July 20, 2013 in Lacey, WA.
Frances was born on October 29, 1929 in Hartford, CT to Joseph and Laura Moody. She grew up on the East Coast and graduated from Penn State with a B.A. She then attended Strayer Business College in Washington, D.C. After graduating, she moved to New York City and worked for the Silver Bay Association. During the summers, Frances worked at the Association’s family resort and convention center on Lake George. She had many fond memories of canoeing and swimming at Lake George.
In the spring of 1955, Frances moved to San Francisco where she worked at various jobs before attending San Francisco Theological Seminary. At the Seminary, she studied Christian Education and met her future husband, Don Cates. On December 13, 1958, Frances and Don were married. Over the next several years, Don pastored churches in California, Idaho and Washington. During that time, their first daughter Jenny Capella was born in 1960 and in 1962, their second daughter Bayley Kessler was born.
In 1967, Don decided on career change and the family moved to Edmonds, WA. He attended the University of WA and earned her Masters in Library Science. After he graduated, the family moved to Aberdeen, WA when he accepted a position with Grays Harbor Community College as their Reference Librarian. Frances then began her work for the Aberdeen School District. She thoroughly enjoyed her career as a secretary for various departments there and retired after many years of service.
Frances was a member of the Aberdeen Presbyterian. She volunteered at her church and for many organizations here in Aberdeen including RSVP and CAPP
Don and Frances were married for 46 years. Don passed away in 2004. Frances moved to Lacey, WA in 2011 where she joined the Lacey Presbyterian Church.
Frances enjoyed gardening, travelling, listening to music and watching birds in her garden. She was an avid reader and liked to spend time near the water, especially the ocean. But the place she remembered most fondly was Lake George at Silver Bay, NY.
Frances is survived by her two daughters, Jenny Capella of Seattle and Bayley Kessler of Lacey, WA; two sisters, Rachel Sowers of Hilton Head, SC and Margaret Trimble of Palm Harbor, FL. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bryce Moody.
There will be two celebrations of life held for Frances. The first will be at the Aberdeen Presbyterian Church on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. The second service will be held at the Lacey Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Cates, please visit our flower store.
Frances was born on October 29, 1929 in Hartford, CT to Joseph and Laura Moody. She grew up on the East Coast and graduated from Penn State with a B.A. She then attended Strayer Business College in Washington, D.C. After graduating, she moved to New York City and worked for the Silver Bay Association. During the summers, Frances worked at the Association’s family resort and convention center on Lake George. She had many fond memories of canoeing and swimming at Lake George.
In the spring of 1955, Frances moved to San Francisco where she worked at various jobs before attending San Francisco Theological Seminary. At the Seminary, she studied Christian Education and met her future husband, Don Cates. On December 13, 1958, Frances and Don were married. Over the next several years, Don pastored churches in California, Idaho and Washington. During that time, their first daughter Jenny Capella was born in 1960 and in 1962, their second daughter Bayley Kessler was born.
In 1967, Don decided on career change and the family moved to Edmonds, WA. He attended the University of WA and earned her Masters in Library Science. After he graduated, the family moved to Aberdeen, WA when he accepted a position with Grays Harbor Community College as their Reference Librarian. Frances then began her work for the Aberdeen School District. She thoroughly enjoyed her career as a secretary for various departments there and retired after many years of service.
Frances was a member of the Aberdeen Presbyterian. She volunteered at her church and for many organizations here in Aberdeen including RSVP and CAPP
Don and Frances were married for 46 years. Don passed away in 2004. Frances moved to Lacey, WA in 2011 where she joined the Lacey Presbyterian Church.
Frances enjoyed gardening, travelling, listening to music and watching birds in her garden. She was an avid reader and liked to spend time near the water, especially the ocean. But the place she remembered most fondly was Lake George at Silver Bay, NY.
Frances is survived by her two daughters, Jenny Capella of Seattle and Bayley Kessler of Lacey, WA; two sisters, Rachel Sowers of Hilton Head, SC and Margaret Trimble of Palm Harbor, FL. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bryce Moody.
There will be two celebrations of life held for Frances. The first will be at the Aberdeen Presbyterian Church on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. The second service will be held at the Lacey Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Cates, please visit our flower store.
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