Mary A. Young

Born April 27, 1925, Mary’s physical body surrendered, and her soul was carried to Heaven by angels on December 28, 2021. Mary McNulty was born to Ed and Elsie McNulty and raised on Kentucky Avenue on Indianapolis’ near Southside with her brother Jim and sister Anne McNulty See. She attended Catholic Schools (Assumption Catholic School, St. Agnes Academy, and Marian College) which along with the influence of her parents forged her deep devotion to her Catholic faith. She built her home on a lot chosen specifically because St. Luke Catholic Church was to be built across the street. She attended Mass every day and all of her kids attended St. Luke Catholic School. Mary was one of two women in her graduating class at the IU School of law in 1951. Although she knew she was a part of breaking that gender barrier, she did not feel like a “pioneer”, instead enjoying the camaraderie, and often remarking that she “just liked the ‘fellas’ she was in school with.”

Mary married Howard S. Young Jr. in 1954, and during their 50 year marriage until Howard’s death in 2004, raised nine children who they repeatedly referred to as the greatest human beings they had ever met. Those kids weren’t actually as great as they said, but did go on to become successful teachers, bankers, and lawyers, and more importantly good, moral, kind, and empathetic people as modeled by Mary and Howard. Mary is survived by Thomas J. Young (Barbara), Richard A. (Drew) Young (Wilma), William E. Young (Holly), James H. Young (Clare), Elsie Young Cerrone (Al), Julie Young Terrell (Mick), Joseph B. Young (Caroline), John P. Young (Erin), and Mary Young Stewart. Mary is survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren that she loved dearly (“bless their hearts”) and are too many to name. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

Mary was a friend to all she met and another mother to many. Her corner kitchen cabinet was always fully stocked with snacks and goodies and openly available to anyone who could reach it. Her kitchen table was always a place to sit and talk. She was always interested and engaged in what, and how “her people” were doing, a great listener, and dispensed a lot of love and advice from her seat at that kitchen table.

In addition to raising nine hooligans and all the strays they would bring to the house, Mary was committed to her faith, church and community, investing her time and energy on a scale rarely matched. Whenever she did something, she did it “full speed”, as anyone who worked with her, or who she asked for contributions, can attest. She raised many millions of dollars for the church, schools and many other community charities and projects. Her many accomplishments and activities include: Doctorate of Humanities, Marion University; Sagamore Of The Wabash; IAHSA-Meritorius Service Award; Co-Chairman Indianapolis Archdiocese Annual Appeal; President Retirement Living Inc. Board of Directors d/b/a Marquette Manor; Indiana Jefferson Award for Distinguished Volunteerism; Knight of Service Award Marian College; Archdiocesan School Strategic Planning Task Force; Co-Chair Marian College “Opportunities for Excellence” Scholarship Fund Raiser; Indiana State Bar Association “Women in Law” Honoree; Chairman Advancement Committee Marian College; Board of Trustees Second Term Marian College; Chairman Long Range Planning & Stewardship Committee St. Luke Catholic Church; Treasurer Greater Republican Finance Committee of Marion County; Co-Chairman Finance Committee, Drew Young Campaign for Marion Co Prosecutor; Chairman, Long Range Development Committee, St. Luke Catholic Church; President, 2nd time, St. Augustine Guild; Advisor to Board of Trustees, Indianapolis Children’s Museum; Treasurer/Member of Board of Directors, Marquette Manor, Retirement Living, Inc.; Chairman, Elizabella Ball Fund Raiser St. Elizabeth Home; Catholic Laywoman of the Year; Treasurer, The Sterling Group Limited Partnership; Brebeuf High School, President’s Medal Award; Marian College Distinguished Alumna Award; Chairman, Development Committee, Marian College Board of Directors; Co-Chairman, Special Events, Sesquicentennial Committee 1834-1984 for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Executive Council of Brebeuf Preparatory High School; Chairman, First Annual “LeGrande Garage Sale,” Brebeuf Major Continuing Fund Raising Project; Board of Directors Alliance of the Indianapolis of Art Museum; Co-Chairman of Capstone Fund Drive for Marian College; Chairman, Special Gifts Committee for St. Luke’s Church Building Drive; Chairman, State Council of the Women’s Committee of the Indiana State Symphony Society, Inc.; Board of Directors of the Women’s Committee of the Indiana State Symphony Society Inc.; Division Co-Chairman, 1981 Individual Gift Campaign for the Children’s Museum; Member Central Indiana Council of Fund Raising Executives, Inc.; Member Board of Trustees Marian College, Indianapolis, Indiana; Board of Directors of Retirement Living, Inc., Marquette Manor; Treasurer, Retirement Living, Inc.; Special Projects Chairman, Brebeuf Preparatory School; Member Finance Committee, St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Charter Member); President, USCO Adult Education Center, Chairman, 1st Shamrauction Project; Board of Directors, Cathedral High School; Board of Directors Women’s Committee of the Indiana State Symphony Society; Chairman, St. Luke Home School Association; Secretary of Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Member of Board of Directors; Chairman, Individual Phase Operating Fund Drive, Alliance of Indianapolis Museum of Art; Co-Chairman, Individual Phase Operating Fund Drive, Alliance of Indianapolis Museum of Art; President St. Luke Catholic Church Women’s Club; Board of Directors Caritas, Inc. (Charter Member); President St. Augustine Guild Home for the Aged; Vice President St. Augustine Guild Home for the Aged; President St. Vincent Hospital Guild, Inc.; Secretary St. Vincent Hospital Guild, Inc.; Treasurer, St. Vincent Hospital Guild, Inc.; Member Young & Young Law Firm, Indianapolis, Indiana; Member Law Firm, Haymaker & Hurt, Indianapolis, Indiana; Admitted to practice before Indiana Bar and Federal Bar.

One of Mary’s sons was recently heard to admit what a classic underachiever he is when reminded of all Mary had accomplished in her lifetime.

Mary McNulty Young was one of the people who made her generation, the “greatest generation.” Her goal for each day was that all she did would be for the glory and grace of God. Her husband, children, and everyone around her were the beneficiaries of her approach to life. She will be greatly missed.

Because of Covid considerations, Mary’s funeral will be a family only attended service. However, the private Mass will be livestreamed on January 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM through https://www.stluke.org/ . The family plans to have a celebration of life gathering (in the Irish wake style) sometime in the Spring when it can be held at an outdoor venue. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to The Mary McNulty Young Endowed Scholarship at Marian University or St. Luke Catholic Church.

You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com to share a personal memory of Mary. Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel assisting with funeral arrangements.