Geraldine Frances Young
September 10, 1931 - April 27, 2019
Obituary
Gerry passed away peacefully on April 27, 2019 at Valley General Hospital in Renton, WA from complications of pneumonia. She was born on September 10, 1931 in Reedsburg, WI and grew up in the northern woods of Wisconsin, learning to ice skate on the frozen ponds nearby during the long, cold winters. Her father was a hunter and trapper, and the family learned to live off the land during her childhood years. Looking for a new beginning, her mother moved away from the woods and into the bustling city of Chicago when Gerry was a young teen. Her only sibling, Marjorie, was seven years older, married and began a life of travel with her husband’s job in the Army. After a few years in Chicago, Gerry and her mother moved west to Seattle. By then, Gerry entered high school and graduated from the class of ’49 from Foster High School where she enjoyed several years on the cheerleading squad and was presented with the senior class journalism award. While working at the downtown Seattle Woolworth’s Five and Dime store during high school, she met Nicholas Martin, marrying and moving east to Virginia to experience life as a Navy wife for the next four years. After serving his time in the Navy, Nick and Gerry moved back West and raised their two daughters, Marilee and Jennee. Gerry enjoyed many years, staying home with the girls, participating in their activities at school, scouting and starting the first ski bus at Showalter Jr. High so the girls could continue their favorite sport with their friends. Once the girls became teenagers, Gerry re-joined the work force, working for several life insurance companies before joining Owens Corning Fiberglass where she worked for fifteen years before retiring at age 55. After Gerry’s marriage to Nick ended, she enjoyed her life long friendships with her girlfriends and family, becoming a Grandma in her early 50’s. But staying single was not meant to be. After several invites to join her friends for a Boeing singles dance night, Gerry finally gave in and at that first event, met Paul Young, a man that enjoyed dancing as much as she did. They also both enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping and snow-birding in Tucson. Marrying in 1985, they enjoyed the next 21 years together before Paul’s passing in 2006. Gerry loved spending time with her daughters and their families and during her last several months, enjoyed going for car rides with her girls, always stopping for a Starbucks Frappuccino and sometimes a special treat at Dairy Queen! Gerry was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She loved unconditionally and with her full heart. We will miss her sweet smile and generous hugs which she blessed us with at every greeting. She is survived by her two daughters, Marilee (Randy), Jennee (Bill), Granddaughter’s Rebecca, Kaytlin, and Kirsten, Grandson Kurt (Noelle), and great grandchildren Patrick and Ryan. Her beloved sister, Marge, passed away in 2016. A private family burial will be held on Monday, May 13th, 2019 at Washington Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of Gerry’s life will take place later this summer.
I will always remember Gerry’s beautiful smile and her love of York Pepermint Paddy’s. I will miss her joining us all for our Christmas celebrations. God bless you, Gerry, I know you are in heaven watching over us all.