Aileen Katherine Yates, 52, of Andover, died Wednesday, February 08, 2017 of ovarian cancer.
Born in Somerville, she was the seventh of nine children of Aileen Crowley and J. Walter Crowley Jr. Aileen grew up in Arlington. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1983 and from Boston College in 1987. Having started as a teacher, she later had a long career as a writer and editor. Shortly before she became ill, she had begun a new job in Andover.
Aileen’s greatest achievement and the source of her joy and endless gratitude was her family. She and her husband, Christopher Yates, shared more than 25 years together. She was a gifted mother and will always be a guide to her daughters, Eleanor, Caroline, and Kathleen.
She was a voracious reader and prodigious writer of notes and letters. She gave her love of reading and writing to her daughters and delighted in the poems and artwork they created for her. She also shared with them her love of gardening, Cape Cod, brisk walks and bargains. A true and loyal friend, Aileen was known as the “great connector” for her eagerness to encourage friendships among others.
Aileen is pre-deceased by her beloved father J. Walter Crowley Jr. and brother Edmond Crowley. In addition to her husband and daughters, Aileen is survived by her mother, Aileen Crowley, and the families of seven of her siblings, J. Walter Crowley III of Silverdale, WA, Thomas Crowley of Andover, Eleanor Hickey of Hingham, William Crowley of Mt. Lebanon, PA, Rosemary Hallahan of Holden, Elizabeth Crowley of Belmont, and Joseph Crowley of Belmont; her mother-in-law, Barbara Yates of Jefferson City, MO; numerous aunts and uncles, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Aileen’s name to: The Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, 637 Cambridge St, Brighton, MA 02135. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.