Mary Elizabeth Young (nee Russell) was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She left this world peacefully on July 5, 2024, at the amazing age of 100 in Sarasota, FL.

Mary was born to Rose Ruth (nee Alario) and James Russell (Vincenzo Russo) on March 16, 1924 in Wawa, PA and grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She was the fourth of seven siblings, who have since passed away: Joseph, James, Florence, Augustine, Eleanor, and Robert.

As a teenager, Mary waited outside clubs and movie theaters to get autographs from some of the biggest entertainers and movie stars of the day, such as Bette Davis, Bob Hope, Glenn Miller, and Ronald Reagan, among others.

In 1943, Mary wed Oliver "Ollie" Frankenfield Young (b.1920-d. 2003). They married while Ollie was on leave from the Navy during WWII. The couple remained married for 60 years and had four children together: Barbara (Bob Gifford), Bill (d.1982), Bob, and Mike (d. 2004).

Mary also had a career outside the home. She worked a number of different jobs throughout her long life, including bank teller in Chicago during World War II, retail sales, and secretary for NJ Dept. of Transportation. She was an Administrative Assistant to the President of CompuTest prior to its being bought by Siemens where she remained in similar positions for many years.

A devout Catholic, Mary was a member of St Mary of the Lakes Church in Medford, NJ, prior to the 1961 construction of St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Marlton, NJ, where her faith deepened. In time she became a eucharistic minister so that she could provide communion to those who were house-bound. One of the highlights of her life was when she and Ollie met Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Throughout her long life, Mary kept a busy schedule including volunteering with her church, activities with the Garden Club of Marlton, and attending prayer groups. In addition to time spent in her abundant garden, you could often find her on long neighborhood walks, playing card games with the Silhouettes (a Pinochle group of close friends in Marlton) and other friends and family, and preparing delicious meals. Among her favorite things were purple orchids and fresh oysters.

Mary personified grace, love, and acceptance by welcoming new family and friends with open arms and her tender heart. She was beloved by these family and friends whose birthdays and anniversaries she always remembered and celebrated with a card.

Mary was a grandmother to six, a bonus grandmother to three, and a great-grandmother to twelve.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM all at St. Joan of Arc Church, 100 Willow Bend Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053 where a reception and light refreshments will follow from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Burial of her urn will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024 at Morgan Cemetery, 1100 Cinnaminson Avenue, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her memory to any of the following would be preferred: the Tidwell Hospice Foundation, 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/ ; St. Joan of Arc Church, Love in Action, 100 Willow Bend Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053 https://www.stjoans.org/ ; or Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 40 Monument Rd., Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Https://www.lbbc.org/donate

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with her family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com Arrangements and family services provided by the Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077 (856-829-2700)