Esther Marie (Hart) Young passed from this life to the next on Dec. 21, 2022. She was reunited with her husband of 70 years and the love of her life in time for Christmas.
Esther was born in Lakeland, Fla., on May 15, 1930. She grew up in both Florida and Penn Yan, NY, traveling back and forth each year with her mother, father, grandparents and sisters. She met her future husband, Bob, in high school and she was always fond of telling their love story – how they worked together at the local theater, he an usher and she a candy girl, and how they eloped to Michigan just out of high school. They returned to Penn Yan for the birth of their first son, and continued their life as a growing family, first in Penn Yan and later in Branchport, NY. While there, Esther worked for several years as secretary at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and in various positions with the Catholic Diocese of Rochester. She and Bob were also very active in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, providing guidance and support to other married couples seeking to strengthen their relationships. Eventually, Esther and Bob retired and moved to Laurel. Not satisfied with retirement, Esther became a greeter at Johnny Janosik’s in Laurel where she worked for several years.
Esther was very active at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She served as a Eucharistic Minister both at Mass and to the home bound. She also served as a lector. She was an avid gardener and bird watcher, especially of hummingbirds. She enjoyed word-find puzzles, computer solitaire, reading, and spending time with family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Young; her sister, Helen Brechbiel; her sister, Elaine Orcutt and her son-in-law, Dennis Croley. Esther and Bob’s love story produced four children who carry on their legacy and will treasure their memory. They are Michael Young (Sandra), Kathryn Croley, Patricia Young (Ruth Ashby) and Steven Young (Rhonda-Lisa Wilk-Killeen). She also leaves to cherish her memory five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews, all of whom will cherish her memory.
A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 E. Stein Hwy., Seaford, DE 19973. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 E Stein Hwy, Seaford, DE 19973 or to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, Laurel. Online Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com.