Obituary of Mimi Young

Mimi Young passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California on January 24, 2012 following a brief illness. Mimi was born in Paris, Illinois on January 8, 1948 and grew up in Decatur, Illinois. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School, where she met and later married Steve Young, her high school sweetheart. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1971 and began her teaching career in Argenta, Illinois that same year. She moved to San Jose, California in 1979 with her husband Steve and their sons Matt and Ben, ages nine and two, respectively, at that time. Mimi and Steve later moved to Aptos, California in 2000. Mimi taught English in the East Side Union High School District of San Jose for most of her 30 year teaching career. She was active in both the East Side Teachers Association and the California Teachers Association. She was also an active member and an officer of both St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Aptos and a local chapter of PEO, an international philanthropic organization for women. Mimi loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, cooking and participating in church activities. She was an avid gardener, both at her home and her church. She enjoyed decorating and furnishing her home; French Country design elements inspired many of her projects. She traveled extensively with her husband; France and Italy were among her favorite destinations. Mimi was a founding member of Our Search, a non-profit group focused on improving the health of women and children living in San Jose's sister city, Yekaterinburg, Russia. She traveled there on a number of occasions, including one trip with her son Ben in 1992 and a subsequent trip with her son Matt in 1994. She enjoyed many life-long friendships with the people she met there. Mimi is survived by her loving family: her husband of 42 years, Steve Young of Aptos, her son Matt Young, his wife Joanna and their daughter Anna of San Jose, her son Ben Young and his wife Farrah of San Jose, and her brother Jim Munch of South Carolina. She also leaves behind many, many friends. Mimi was loved by many and will be missed by all. A Memorial Service for Mimi will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (9850 Monroe Ave. Aptos, CA 95003) on Saturday, February 18, beginning at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mimi to your local chapter of the Second Harvest Food Bank, your local chapter of the S.P.C.A. or St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Aptos. To light a candle and share your thoughts and prayers, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com.