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1926 – 2020
On Jun 17, 2020, Mary died of natural causes at the age of 94. She was born and raised with her six Sullivan siblings on Barnaby Street in Balboa. Mary was an athlete, scholar, wife and proud mother of six; nurse at Gorgas Hospital for 19 years, and in retirement became an outstanding quilter. Mary had an upbeat pragmatism, wry humor, and gave unconditional support to her colleagues, friends, and family. She also made a delicious “johnny mazetti”!
Upon graduating from BHS, she went to Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital and graduated top of her class. She returned to Panama and met her husband, Jim Young (who worked at the Plumbing Division and later as a PCC tugboat captain), and became the nurse supervisor of the orthopedic ward of Gorgas Hospital and mentored many nurses.
Mary and Jim raised six kids and many beagles in Los Rios and La Boca, while managing to shop, cook, feed, and care for a family of 8 (and many guests.) The Youngs house was the center of activity and second home for many. In 1981, Mary and Jim retired to Camano Island, Washington to the home they built and resided in until 2019. They travelled frequently to Panama to visit family and murder many bass in Gatun Lake. On Camano Island Mary was active in a quilters club and was the network hub for the Youngs very dispersed extended family.
Mary and Jim were independent spirits, gracious and hospitable to all– telling stories, laughing at jokes and enjoying their lives. Mary was always the nurse and the “hospitality center” for the family.
Mary’s husband Jim passed in 2019. She is survived by her six children, Ellie, Jim, Tom, Mike, Dave, and Frank Young; four grandchildren, Jack Young, Shannon (Young) Martucci, Luis Young, and Brian Young; and three great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Jacob Martucci, and Aren Young.
The Young family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 West, Fayetteville. A memorial service for Mary and her husband Jim is being planned. For more information or to get in touch with the Young family, please contact Georgia Cremation at 770-756-8702.
Joann Roby Smith says
Love and miss Mary and Jim. 🙏🏻
Glenn Samson says
Mary, lively, cheerful, good energy, loving. She will talk about all sorts of things and made me feel like a good friend. She would get Jim on the line so we can all talk. Jim is a storyteller and a real good one. They always said how much they appreciated me and the phone calls. In fact it was I who benefitted. They gave me wonderful memories of our conversations that I will always cherish.
Cindy Rumold says
God’s Grace and Blessings always. So very sorry. She was truly a kind woman. ❤️
Maureen Husum says
So lucky to have been one of the young nurses she mentored. She was my best boss in a 40 year career. Such a loving wonderful woman. She always had a wise word and big heart. Everyone always felt welcome at the Casa Young and there was always a bass frying from Gamboa Lake on the Fridays during lent. We were so blessed to know Mary and Jim.
Melanie OBrien says
Sorry to hear the news- she sure did a great job raising 5 boys & a daughter!!!!
Linda Collins says
I am so glad to have known Mary – and Jim. Both of them were genuinely decent, dear and generous of heart, with outsized senses of humor and zest for life. I so enjoyed their company, and to this day feel special to have been included among Mary’s many family friends and confidants. I see her love and strength in her daughter (and my friend), Ellie. A sweet light and an era has passed.
Glenn Murphy says
I met Mary because I was a friend of her son Dave. I remember her as a strong but caring mother who was never daunted by the demands of caring for a big family. It was a blessing to know her. May she Rest In Peace.