Karen Kay (MacGillivray) Young

Karen Kay MacGillivray Young, age 84, of Columbus, Ohio, returned to our Lord on June 17, 2025 after battling Parkinson’s disease for over a decade. Karen truly walked in the footsteps of Christ, living her life with generosity, unconditional love, and service to others. She had the ability to make everyone around her feel valued and special. Her faith remained a strong guiding light throughout her life, and she was committed to helping those less fortunate than her.

Karen was born on October 11, 1940, in Springfield, Ohio to Mary (Kadel) and Lloyd MacGillivray. She had an older brother, Doug, and a younger sister, Sandy. She moved around a lot as a kid, landing in Bellefontaine, Ohio prior to beginning high school. She graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1958, then went to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where she majored in Political Science, and graduated in 1962. She was a self-described feminist, and the events of 1960’s truly shaped her lifelong world outlook.

She married the love of her life, Keith Young, on August 24, 1963. Their marriage took an unconventional early turn, highlighting the selfless and generous nature of both Karen and Keith. They took in their five nieces and nephews (“the Bandy kids”) and finished raising them, offering love, support, and stability.

After several years of struggling with infertility, Karen and Keith chose adoption. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, it was nearly unheard of to have a mixed-race family, but that’s just what they did. They adopted four children (Melissa, Mark, Cheryl, Philip) and loved them fiercely. In addition to raising their own family, Karen and Keith were a host family of sorts for two children who attended the Ohio School for the Deaf (Diane, Julie). Their home was also a haven to any child who needed it, or for a friend who needed a respite from parenting.

Karen worked at the Ohio Historical Society in the late 1970’s, then at the Ohio Department of Transportation for over 20 years, rising in the ranks over the years to Deputy Director. She was proud to co-author a book titled The Ohio Historic Bridge Inventory Evaluation, and Preservation Plan. She retired from ODOT in 2005.

In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling abroad with Keith and her siblings and their spouses. Her favorite destination was Italy! She also loved spending time with her grandchildren (Megan, Allison, Amber, Keith, Eugene, Charlotte). Because it was one of the great joys of Karen’s life to care for children, she continued this mission right to the end, helping to raise three of their grandchildren (Amber, Keith, Eugene). Karen’s wish was to care for them until the youngest child graduated high school—a goal she nearly achieved before running out of time.

Karen was a passionate volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul, serving in the role of treasurer for over 20 years. She took countless phone calls from those in need and helped establish a financial bridge for them.

She was an enthusiastic participant in pDNextSteps, a program that helps individuals in different stages of Parkinson’s disease by keeping them moving and energetic. The founder, Melissa Carlson, became a valued friend and mentor to Karen.

Karen absolutely loved singing in the choir and being a cantor at church. She had the gift of a beautiful soprano voice and was happy to share it with others. She also loved gardening—when her children were growing up, she kept a massive garden in her back yard that yielded plentiful produce every summer. She also truly enjoyed planting flowers—the more colors the better!

She is survived by her loving husband Keith Young; children Melissa Young Szalay (Rob Szalay), Mark Young (Nia), and Philip Young; very close family friend Caryn Beach (Rolla); sister Sandy McDonald; her six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She cleverly trained her brother’s four daughters to call her Beautiful Aunt Karen—they still call her BAK to this day!

She will reunite with many friends and family members in heaven, most notably her daughter Cheryl Young Richards, parents Lloyd and Mary MacGillivray, brother Doug MacGillivray, and closest friends Carol Styers Lowe and Marge Underwood Brundage.

Karen’s life deserves to be celebrated! Please join us on Sunday, June 22, 2025 for a prayer service at 2:30 pm followed by visitation from 3-6 pm at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, Ohio. On Monday, June 23, 2025 there will be visitation at 9 am, followed by a funeral mass at 10 am at St. James the Less Church, 1652 Oakland Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. A luncheon will be held following mass. Wear a touch of pink to honor Karen’s favorite color!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul or St. James the Less Church in Karen’s memory.