Christine Ann Yates, 80

September 18, 2024

Chris Yates, 80, died at home on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, of lung cancer. Born in Lancaster, she was a daughter of the late Luther A. and Ruth L. (Harnish) Darmstaetter. She was the wife of Robert S. Yates, who died in August 2022, two months after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

As a child, Chris lived in Yonkers, NY; White Plains, NY; Springfield, PA; and Rosemont, PA. After graduating from Radnor High School (1961) and completing the keypunch program at Peirce School (now Peirce College) in Philadelphia, she returned to Lancaster and worked at the Strasburg Railroad gift shop (started by her mother’s cousin, Marian Moedinger, with husband Bill Moedinger) and then in the computer department at Millersville University until becoming a mother. After raising three girls (and volunteering at their elementary school and for the Republican Committee), Chris worked in food service (at Armstrong on Liberty Street, Lancaster Catholic High School, and the Lancaster County Courthouse) as well as in data entry and customer service. She also helped in the Lancaster flower shop of her late sister, Barbara Cipriano, and late niece, Donna Cipriano.

An Olympic-caliber freestyle swimmer in her youth, Chris enjoyed reading, playing card and board games, making jelly from her decades-old grapevine, listening and dancing to the Mummers and “The Oldies,” and watching TV series (mostly mysteries and reality shows) and movies (classics and comedy especially). Most of all, she loved her family. Her daughters will always remember her love of food and coffee, her stories about her youth, their summers at the pool, and family trips. Her grandchildren will always treasure the time that she spent with them.

A decades-long member of St. Anne Catholic Church and then a member of St. Anthony of Padua, Chris lived her faith and passed it on as a legacy to family and friends. She is survived by daughters Robin Burgoon (wife of Brian) of Lancaster, Kristin Yates (partner of Barrett Lash) of Leesport, and Karin Yates of Lancaster; grandchildren William, Jonathan, Ariana, Collin, Ethan, Alicia, and Braiden; nephews Robert Cipriano (husband of Barbara), Peter Cipriano, and Emil Cipriano (husband of Blathnaid) and their families; and several cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA. Family and friends will be received from 10-11 AM. Interment will be at Riverview Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made in Chris’ memory to a charity of one’s choice.