Anne Gates Yarnall
Anne Gates Yarnall, nee Anne Willet (“Tommy”) Thompson, an accomplished artist and passionate social activist, passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Fe, NM, on January 26, 2024, at the age of 89. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Anne’s life was a rich tapestry of creativity, activism, and adventure.
Anne graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1955 with a B.A. in English – love of poetry and fiction that she pursued for the rest of her life in the many book clubs and reading circles in which she was an eager participant and an insightful discussion leader.
Following her graduation, a trip to the West led her to meet her first husband, the writer William N. Gates III in Taos, NM. They married and settled in Santa Fe, NM, where they raised their three children, Sarah, Michael, and Amy Gates. Anne and William divorced in 1980, but her love for Santa Fe and its vibrant culture remained strong.
In the early 1980s, Anne returned to Philadelphia, where she met and married her second husband, D. Robert Yarnall, Jr., CEO of Yarway and Envirite Corporations. They enjoyed a travel-filled and socially active marriage until Robert’s death in 1999. Afterward, Anne divided her time between Sanibel, Florida, and East Blue Hill, Maine, before settling in Fort Myers, FL. In her final months, she returned to Santa Fe, the city whose mountains, pure air, and lovely light she had deeply missed ever since moving away and that more and more came to feel like home.
The granddaughter of William Willet, founder of the Willet Stained Glass and Decorating Company of Philadelphia, and daughter of the watercolorist Elizabeth Willet Thompson, Anne was a superb artist. She was largely self-taught, having taken only a couple of classes, one at the University of New Mexico and one at the Philadelphia College of Art. Everywhere she lived, she connected with fellow artists, forming painting groups and giving lessons, and she was highly valued for her critical but generous eye. She never went anywhere without a sketchbook and a camera.
Initially, she excelled in oil painting, but a sensitivity to the chemicals involved led her to explore other media. She mastered acrylic, pastel, watercolor, photography, and collage, evolving from the hyperrealism of her early oils to the abstract collages of her later years. Anne’s works were showcased in galleries and shows wherever she lived, and she often served as a juror for local and regional art exhibitions in Philadelphia and Sanibel.
An intrepid and curious world traveler, Anne sought beauty in every corner of the globe. She visited every continent except Antarctica, using her sketchbook, camera, and collage to document the stunning sights she encountered. Her slideshows after each journey were legendary.
Anne’s commitment to social justice was as profound as her dedication to art. During the 1960s, she worked closely with the people of Tesuque Pueblo to repel a land grab by a resort developer, showcasing her unwavering support for indigenous rights and environmental preservation. She was a constant voice of criticism of the race-based tracking system of the Santa Fe public school system in place at the time when her children were in attendance. In 1972, she organized a massive petition drive and protest against the Vietnam War, rallying hundreds of Santa Feans to the Santa Fe Cathedral in support. In the 1980s and 90s in Philadelphia, she worked tirelessly on the boards of organizations devoted to social causes, such as Educating Children for Parenting, and for Democratic political candidates, such as Senator Harris Wofford.
Anne is survived by her first husband, William N. Gates III; her three children, Sarah (Robert DeGraaff) Gates, Michael (Johanna Mandt) Gates, and Amy Gates; her grandchildren Maximilian (Raelyn Neary) Turell and Emma Turell; three step-children, Joan (Robert) Ma, Sara (David) Sanders, Kristina (Nicholas Sibinga) Yarnall, and six step-grandchildren.
In July, her remains will be poured into the great international St. Lawrence River in a private family ceremony, one fitting for her adventurous and free spirit. She will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, formidable intelligence, impeccable eye, and great rallying energy and humor.
The family thanks Sandi Radomski, ND and LCSW of Philadelphia, for her decades of warm and attentive care for Anne’s Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). And for their wonderful end-of-life care, we thank Chris Dunlap, RN and CRRN of the Decades Group (Albuquerque and Santa Fe), Nurse Case Manager extraordinaire; the management and caregivers of Home Instead homecare services (Santa Fe and Los Alamos), and Roadrunner Hospice (Santa Fe and Albuquerque).