February 10th, 2026 was, and is now deemed, "Doris Yates’ Glorious Day!" She was welcomed home by her loving Savior, Jesus Christ, and can finally see him face to face in glory forevermore! She had a long battle at home with dementia, but even throughout that time, she remained the kind, gentle soul she always was. She still recognized hymns and would sing along up until three days before her death, and she looked forward to her daily evening fudgsicle and all things chocolate. Doris’ life has been characterized by faith, love, and trust in God. She lived this out in how she treated others and was consistently loving, kind, gentle, patient, tender, approachable, generous, wise, witty, and wonderfully humorous. She loved her family with all her heart, and she spent her whole life loving and serving others, selflessly, sacrificially, and impartially, in so many beautiful ways. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her "adopted" children and grandchildren, doting on them and giving them rich, loving, personalized experiences. Because of this, her life has had a tremendous impact on her family, her friends, and on many others that she encountered over the years. She welcomed many into her home, she was a compassionate listener, a prayer warrior, an affectionate, tender comforter, a wonderful cook and baker, an avid reader, a beautiful cursive writer, a piano player, and an excellent steward for all those she was given to care for and of all she was given to do. Some of her most favored recipes and still oft requested are her birthday cakes with cream cheese icing with homemade chocolate cake, or her mocha butter cream frosting and yellow cake. On Sunday mornings, she was known for putting a roast and baked potatoes in the oven or making beef stew for the family to enjoy when they returned from church. She worked many part-time jobs throughout her life, but she viewed her most important jobs as being a wife, mom, sister, aunt, and grandma. She is greatly loved by many, and she will be greatly missed until we meet again.

Doris is survived by her children Keith (Sue), Wayne (Ernesto), Tim (Barbara), Susan Ritchie (Bill), Julie Lewis (Mark), Laura, 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Jim (Shirley), and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Hazel Harris, her siblings Mildred Harris, Chet Harris, Jane Conlin, and Helen Carr, her husband, Don Yates, and her grandson, Tim Lewis.

The family would like to especially thank Laura Yates, daughter, for her endless love and devotion, protection, and sacrificial, tender loving care of Doris, Sue Ritchie, daughter, who also lovingly cared for Doris, Julie Wiland, friend and caregiver, who helped, loved, and cared for Doris as she would her own mother, diligently and tenderly, and Julie Lewis, daughter, who cared for our mom on an as needed basis with lots of love. Thank you to Doris’ Lourdes PCP, Dr. Shabina Jamil, for her help and care for many years, and to the Lourdes Hospice team, especially Dr. Diane Deferrante, her amazing nurse, Brittni Hartman, and her compassionate aide, Kim, for  their end of life expertise, love, care, and compassion. You all helped us bear our burdens and lighten our load when things were most difficult. Many thanks to all other family, friends, coworkers, and our New Hope Church family for their prayers and support.

Calling hours will be held from 4 - 6 pm on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Coleman and Daniels, 765 Main Street, Vestal, NY and on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at New Hope Church, 1900 Vestal Rd., Vestal, NY from 10 -11 am, followed by a Celebration of Life from 11-12 pm. A luncheon at the church will follow around 1 pm after a brief graveside service at Vestal Park Cemetery, 316 Main Street, Vestal, NY.