Mrs. Jacqueline A Young

Jackie was born on October 25, 1937 to Othello A. Skinner and Gertrude Lightfoot. She was the second of five children, sharing a special bond with her siblings Othello H. Skinner (deceased 2003), Harriette M. Skinner (deceased 2023), Harold B. Skinner (deceased 2015), and Larry E. Skinner (deceased 2001).

Jackie met and married the love of her life, Elliott Young, Jr., on December 31, 1972. They shared a beautiful 46-year marriage filled with laughter, love, and faith. Their retirement years together were a true gift, a season of rest and joy after a life of hard work and service. Together they raised one son, E. Mark Young (London), and poured everything they had into building a loving, faith-centered home.

She was a born teacher. Her calling to educate children in the Cleveland Public School System was not just a job, it was her mission. Jackie spent countless hours and often her own resources to make sure her students had every tool needed to learn, grow, and feel valued. When she retired as an Assistant Principal from Orchard Elementary in 2005, she left behind a legacy of students who were better equipped for the world because she cared so deeply.

Jackie’s faith was the anchor of her life. A proud third-generation member of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, she rarely missed Sunday worship - whether sitting in her favorite pew or later watching faithfully on her iPhone or iPad when health challenges kept her from in-person attendance. Her commitment to God was steady, quiet, and powerful, guiding every part of her life.

She also found joy in fellowship and service through her masonic organizations, including the Prince Hall Masonic Family of Ohio, Eastern Star, Daughters of Isis, and the Heroines of Jericho.

She was also an avid sports fan. Whether cheering on the Cleveland Cavaliers, rooting for the WNBA, or proudly serving as Mark’s first soccer coach, she was a fierce and loyal fan. Some of her fondest memories involve cheering on Mark during youth soccer games and later sitting in the stands during his college soccer career at Wake Forest University. Her greatest joy in later years was watching her granddaughters, Esperanza Madeline and Genevieve Garland, thrive in school, on the soccer field, on the lacrosse field, in Jack and Jill, and in every new activity they tried. She celebrated every goal and every report card like it was a major life event — because to her, it was.

Jackie had a gift for making others feel seen and loved through her handwritten cards, notes, and letters of encouragement.

Jackie lived her life with purpose, faith, and love, and in doing so, she left this world a better place.

In lieu of flowers, the Young Family asks that donations be made to St. John AME Church in her memory by clicking on this link: https://giv.li/muu126