Our beloved mother, Donna Rae Young, died on August 27, 2023, after a long and full life. She was 89 years old and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Franklin Donald Young and her great granddaughter, Celeste Vida Young. Donna was born on January 1, 1934, in Clayton, Illinois, but grew up in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Donna and Frank were married on January 3, 1952 and enjoyed 59 years of marriage.
They enjoyed traveling the world while raising their three children during Col. Young’s long military career. She was the sole parent during Col. Young’s deployments and regardless of where they were stationed, made sure their children were part of their larger, extended family. They settled in Huntsville in 1977.
She shared her love, kindness, and energy through decades of volunteer work. She was a cub scout den mother in multiple cities, and held multiple positions with Newcomers clubs, and volunteered for decades with the Red Cross, both before and after their move to Huntsville in 1977. She sang with the Sunshine Singers at local nursing homes. She was well loved, and her strength, generosity and humor will be missed by all.
She is survived by her three children, Mark Tony Young, Michael Ray Young and his wife, Maureen, and Jennifer Duff Young; grandchildren, Jeremy Griffin Young and his partner Cindy Reporto, Samuel Walton Young and his partner Jennifer Harris, Heath Klotz, Reese Klotz, Genevieve Rae Young and Jake Dillon Young; and four great grandchildren, Grant Joseph Young, Ella Grace Young, Caden Adrian Young and Alaina Elizabeth Laidlaw.
If you would like to pay your respects, you are welcome to attend the memorial service we are holding in her honor at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL on Friday, September 1st at 4:00 pm.
