Mary Young

Mar. 22, 1929 - Nov. 12, 2011

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Mary (Chakmak) Young on November 12, 2011. Born in Vukovar, Yugoslavia, Mary was the third of four children. The family immigrated to the Windsor area when the children were young, and became assimilated into the culture of their new home while retaining the traditions and values of their Serbian heritage. She married Joseph George Young in 1949, and they settled in Tilbury where they had two children and became involved in the life of the town. Mary embraced the democracy of her new country. She was proudly at her huband's side in his service as mayor of Tilbury from 1960 to 1972, and in his run for a provinical MPP seat. She also worked as Deputy Returning officer in many elections. She loved to cook and entertain in the home she and Joe built. The best fresh squeezed lemonade in town was served in her garden.Sadly, Joe passed away in 1974, just before their 25th wedding anniversary and her life changed forever. She kept active in golf and curling, enjoyed her bridge club and IODE meetings and volunteered for many years at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chatham. She also volunteered for the Cancer Society, was active in the Serbian Orthodox Church (Gracanica) and maintained close and loving ties with her siblings and their families. For the past several years she received excellent and loving care at Tecumseh Extendicare under the supervision of her devoted nieces, who provided her support in her last years and comfort in her last hours. Mary was predeceased by her elder sister, Alexandra (Milan) Budisavljevic and her younger sister Bozana and her husband Dusan Manojlovich. She is survived by her brother Lou (Liz) Chakmak, son Dennis (Susanne) Young, daughter Dawn (Ron) Banville, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation will be held at the Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 895 Ouellette Avenue (519) 254-3223 on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friends & family are asked to gather at Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church (Tecumseh Rd. East at Meldrum) on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. The Very Rev. Fr. Miroljub Todorovic officiating. Interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Tilbury. If desired, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Please join us in remembering Mary by visiting her memorial at www.andersonfuneralhomewindsor.com