Doris Jean Young

Jean Young was born Doris Jean Horsley on June 14, 1918 in Miamitown, Ohio – on the Miami River near Cincinnati. She grew up on the family dairy farm – but never did like milk. She had many fond memories of life on the farm: her mother’s home cooking, pies made from the farm’s fruit trees, fresh ham in the smoke house, and garden-fresh vegetables.

Jean graduated from Harrison High School in 1936, then shortly after, left the farm for the city. She moved to Cincinnati, lodged at the YWCA, attended business school, and worked in the office at Shillito’s Department Store.

She was an independent young woman and the proud owner of a two-tone, black and tan, Ford Model A Coupe.

In 1940, she attended a dance in Cincinnati, where she met the love of her life, William Young. They married on August 16, 1941 and she began a new career as a homemaker, wife, and mother.

On December 31, 1942, she gave birth to her only child, a son, William Jerald – who they called “Jerry”. In 1943, the country’s wartime needs required the young family to move to south Florida, where Bill worked as a machinist for the Department of the Navy at what was then the Opa Locka Naval Air Station.

After the war, Jean, Bill and Jerry remained in Florida, settling in North Miami where Jean became very active in the school PTA.

After Bill retired, Jean and Bill took several memorable trips. They drove through the western United States to the scenic Canadian Rockies, and out to Seattle to see Bill’s sister. Most beloved, however, were the many trips to the Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, TN.

By early 1994, Bill’s health had declined and he passed away on February 12, 1994. The following year, Jean sold the home they’d shared for decades and moved to Austin to be near her son and her grandson, Evan.

Jean moved into an apartment in South Austin and soon became a volunteer at the nearby Manchaca Senior Activity Center. She volunteered nearly 40 hours each week, working at the activity desk, and planning trips for the seniors with her good friend, driver Andy Briseño. They traveled with senior groups all over Central Texas and on a regular basis, to the casino at Coushatta, LA.

In 2000, Jean was recognized for her service and named by the Parks and Recreation Department “Volunteer of the Year” for all of Travis County.

That same year, with her eyesight failing, Jean had to give up driving and along with it, her cherished independence – and moved to north Austin to live with Bill.

She soon joined a group of seniors that played cards on Tuesday mornings at the Pflugerville HEB. She also joined the YMCA in Round Rock, where she exercised faithfully every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. More importantly, at the “Y”, she found a wonderful new group of friends, who helped make her final years happy and fulfilling.

Despite the challenges of living with progressive kidney disease, Jean continued to travel with her son Bill. Every fall, they’d leave the Texas heat for the relative cool - and beautiful scenery - of the Great Smoky Mountains, and Gatlinburg. Part of the journey was devoted to visiting Jean’s younger brother, and her nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends in Cincinnati.

She often attended school reunions and kept in touch with many childhood friends – some she’d known since first grade. Jean outlived them all, but never spent much time grieving. Rather, she was grateful for the time that she’d had with them.

Jean had a few treasured possessions but found greatest joy in time spent with friends, family, and, especially, her great-grandchildren, Carlos and Isabella.