Johanna L.H. Young

Johanna L.H. Young, "Joan" age 82, died on January 10, 2013. Born July 9, 1930, she graduated from the Montrose School in Essex Fells, NJ, attended Wheaton College and graduated from Uppsala College. Soon after, she joined the U.S. Navy, had an outstanding career and was one of the first women, back in the day, to achieve the rank of Captain. She served as a Naval Intelligence officer at Pearl Harbor, San Francisco, and the Pentagon. When she moved to Boston she headed the recruitment office there. Then in the Reserves, she ran a tight ship in the 1st Naval District in Lawrence, MA.

In the early 1950's Joan sailed into Marblehead Harbor and was immediately struck by the charm and history of the town. She decided instantly that this was where she wanted to be. She became a member of the Boston Yacht Club and a resident of Marblehead for 60 years, all in the same house, tending her garden and being very content with her residency there as she loved the town, the "Spirit of '76," and all the patriotic celebrations that are a part of Marblehead life.

Alternating with her love of the sea was her love for skiing, and she spent much of her winter seasons at her ski house in Mad River Glen, VT. She had been a member of the Montclair Ski Club and had many friends in the area. An expert skier, she taught two generations of her family to ski and only gave up the expert trails in her late 70's.

Joan was a woman of many interests. She liked golfing and was a member of the Sagamore Swingers at the Sagamore Golf Course. Her love of music led her to concerts at the Boston Symphony and she enjoyed the North Shore Theatre in Beverly as a season ticket holder. Along with being a good cook and a talented jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, Joan was a dedicated volunteer for everyday neighborly chores, special projects, a ride to church, bringing a meal to an elderly friend, interrupting her gardening to play catch at the request of the little boy next door, having Girl Scout meetings at her house - these are just a few typical daily acts of kindness that kept her always busy.

Joan was a woman of strong faith and lived her beliefs. She attended the First Church of Swampscott, Congregational, where she participated in many of their activities. To all who knew Joan, she was an extraordinary woman who loved life, family, God and Country. She is survived by her loving sister, Helen Y. Post of Vero Beach, FL, adoring nieces Wilhelmina C. Randall of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Susan P. Schlachtenhaufen of Lake Forest, IL, Elizabeth P. Cundari of Verona, NJ, nine grandnieces and grandnephews, one great grandniece, one great grandnephew, many devoted friends, especially her best friend, Joanne H. Evans.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 2, 2013, 4:00 p.m., at The First Church in Swampscott in Swampscott, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of Johanna Young. The address is 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Arrangements by the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, Marblehead.