Iva Yates

Iva Yates, 89, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2023 in Southington, CT.  Iva was the only child of David and Viola Modeen.  She grew up in New Britain, CT and met the love of her life, Brewster Yates, while they were students at the Teachers College of Connecticut.  They married in 1956 and lived briefly in Frankfurt, Germany where Brewster was stationed with the U.S.  Army.  After returning to the states, the couple had two daughters and lived in the Kensington section of Berlin, CT. Later, Iva and Brewster, moved to Chester, VT where they lived for twenty years. Once retired, the couple split their time in Kennebunkport, ME, Townshend, VT, and Vero Beach, FL.

Iva was a proud graduate of the Teacher’s College of CT (now CCSU) and received her Masters in Education from the Hillyer College - University of Hartford.   Iva and Brewster made enduring friendships while at school and among families in Kensington.  She enjoyed being a Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Kensington Garden Club, a deacon at Kensington Congregational Church, volunteering at libraries in Chester and Townshend VT, and was an active member of Community Church in Vero Beach, FL.  Iva was an innovative and talented special education teacher in Springfield, VT for ten years.

Iva enjoyed walking the Marginal Way in Ogunquit and visiting national parks with Brewster.  A talented seamstress, she also enjoyed quilting, knitting, and needlework.

Iva and Brewster loved each other dearly during 66 years of marriage.  She is survived by her husband, Brewster Yates, of Southington, CT; two daughters, Lynn Yates Swanson, and her partner, Ronald Kapraszewski, of Southington, CT and Gail Yates Bonicalzi and her partner, John Wagner of Seattle, WA.  In addition, she leaves her sister-in-law, Grace Yates Beatty; her nephew, Robert; and her niece, Laurie, her husband John and son, Trevor in the Philadelphia area.

The family will have a private celebration of Iva’s life in June.  Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at ericksonhansen.com .  Memorial contributions in Iva’s honor can be made to the Lions Low Vision Center of Eastern Connecticut at lionslowvisionctr.org .