Barbara Rae (Bates) Watkins

Barbara Rae Watkins (nee Bates), age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 21, 2023, with her loving family by her side.

Barbara was born in New York, NY on December 29, 1933, to Clifford and Gertrude (Worthen) Bates. When she was an infant, the young family moved to Chicago where they took up residence in the Lakeview area and she eventually met the love of her life Chuck Watkins. They married and started their family, moving to Edison Park where she lived in the same home for over 60 years. She was devoted to her family and loved and cared for all who walked through her door. Family was everything to her! She was so proud of her four daughters, ten grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren who she loved and adored. One of the highlights of her life was the yearlong sailing trip she took with Chuck sailing from Chicago to The Bahamas and back on Kaptain “K”. Barb spent the last six years of her life residing at Clarendale of Algonquin. There she enjoyed spending time with the many new friends she made.

Barbara is survived by her loving daughters, Wendy Koll, Laurie (Steve) Obermeier, and Jody (Jim) Friel; step-son, Lathe Haynes; cherished grandchildren, Jen (Kristy) Cordie-Koll, Billy (Courtney) Koll, Katey Koll, Bob Friel, Kristi (Todd) Walsh, Tom (Kristin) Friel, Stephanie (Andy) McDonald, Michael (Ashley) Obermeier, Kelly (Mark) Ouska and Tracy (William) Yowell; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Charlie, Wells, Maya, Norah, Sienna, Maeve, Luke, Emma, Molly, Kinley, Brooks, Grayson, Nolan, Emmett, and Emerson; along with her nephew, Brian (Bridget) Nelson; niece, Maggie (Mike) Bradford; great nieces, Brooke and JoAnn; great nephew, Sean; plus a wide circle of family and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Charles Watkins; daughter, Kim Friel; step-son, Michael Watkins; parents, Clifford and Gertrude Bates; and sister, JoAnn Nelson.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at The Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Visitation from 1pm – 2pm with a service to follow. There will be refreshments after the conclusion of the service to celebrate Barbara’s wonderful life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name may be made to The Ronald McDonald House ( rmhc.org/donate ) or The American Cancer Society ( donate.cancer.org/ ).