The Rev. Katherine Yates passed on to her new experience March 29, 2012 at 3:30 a.m. She was born in St. Louis, MO and had been a resident of Ventura County since 1960.
The youngest of four children, she is survived by siblings; Barbara Roberts of Lafayette, IN, and John Sutorius of Camarillo, CA. The mother of five children, she is survived by; Michelle Brown of Camarillo, CA, Stephen Boyd of Aztec, NM, Michael Boyd of Oxnard, CA, Sabrina McManigal of Ventura, CA, and grandchildren; Caresse Vetter, Staff Sergeant Crystal Newman, currently serving in Afghanistan, Nolan Brown, Hugh McManigal, Madison McManigal, and great grandchildren; Dylan Vetter, Cody Vetter and Lacey Vetter.
Rev. Yates answered the call to the ministry and became an ordained minister of Religious Science International in 1974. She founded the Oxnard Church of Religious Science in 1975 and served as pastor for 17 years. During this time she created a weekly Sunday morning radio program, was a frequent guest on various television programs. Her natural ability and easy style, combined with a well developed sense of humor made her a well received speaker at various civic functions, church seminars, workshops and the annual RSI Conference in Monterey, CA. For a period of ten years Rev. Yates worked with Dr. Fred Fenger conducting Prayer therapy Sessions. She also served as the pastor of the Fillmore Church of Religious Science for seven years before retirement.
Her first book, " The Warrior Within, The Emerging Self ", was published in 1995. She wrote numerous children's stories, articles and was working on a second book. Rev. Yates was an effective counselor and healer and her practical approach to teaching the " Science of Mind "
caused her students to bestow upon her the title " Teacher of Teachers ". Many of her students also followed her call to the ministry.
Her gentle loving nature and calming influence, as well as her natural integrity will continue to bless all who knew her. She was and is well loved and will be greatly missed.
She loved her children, gentle souls, smooth jazz, flowers, trees, laughter, travel, mystery novels, and ongoing research into ancient wisdom. Pervading everything was her love of God. " Go gently into the Light."
A memorial service will be held for her at The Ventura Church of Religious Science on Saturday April 14th at 10:00 a.m. at 101 S. Laurel St., Ventura, CA.