Barbara Mackay Bates

Barbara Mackay Bates, age 77, of Hilton Head Island, SC, passed away on February 24, 2025. Barbara was born on April 11, 1947, in Hartford, CN to Kenneth S. Mackay and Jean Boynton Mackay.

She graduated from Farmington, CN High School in 1965, then attended Colorado Women’s Collage in Denver, CO, before finishing her education with a bachelor's degree from SUNY in Buffalo, NY.

Barbara married Rick Bates on June 3, 1983, in Bergan, Norway. She was very supportive of her husband’s career with Mobil Oil, living in Lawrenceville, NJ, Stavanger Norway, Bergan Norway, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Yardley, PA, and Dallas, TX.

Barbara was very civic-minded, and after college, was very active in the Hamburg, NY League of Women of Voters. For over 30 years while in Yardley, PA, Dallas, TX, and Hilton Head, SC, she taught English as a Second Language, always teaching the most challenging beginning classes. The students always enjoyed her unorthodox casual teaching methods. She was also an election poll worker at Moss Creek for over 20 years.

In addition to her volunteer work, Barbara was very caring and giving. She thoroughly evaluated many charities to find the best managed ones and supported about 15 charities annually.

Barbara was an avid golfer starting the game at 12 years old. She was very proud of the 2004 hole in one at Moss Creek. She enjoyed travelling to golf destinations in Ireland, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straights, Hawaii, and Kiawah. She learned to quilt in Newfoundland and became an avid quilter for the next 35 years. She would usually spend 3-4 hours in the afternoon quilting. The quilts were all donated to charity.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Kenneth and Jean Mackay. Remaining to cherish Barbara’s memory are her spouse, Richard Bates; children, Kyle Fenn (Laura) of Victor, NY, Brian Fenn of Cape Cod, MA; grandchildren, Megan Netti (Nick) of Auburn, NY, and Abby Fenn of Boston, MA; great granddaughter Paige of Auburn, NY; sisters Kim Pearson (Rob) of Hilton Head, SC, and Lynn Johnson (Phil) of Benson, VT; brothers Doug Mackay (Jane) of Havertown, PA, and Dick Mackay of Seattle, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hilton Head Volunteers in Medicine or Tunnels of Towers.