Mary Ellen Young
September 25, 1957 ~ March 8, 2017
Mary Ellen Young of Greenville passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Greenville. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday, March12, 2017 after 4 PM at St. Lawrence Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to EEE & T College Fund.
Mary Ellen was born September 25, 1957 in Gary, Indiana to Robert B. and Santa T. (Nuzzo) Gavin. She married Alan Young on February 4, 1978 in Merrillville, Indiana. She is survived by her husband of Greenville, her daughters Beth Spencer and her husband John David of Dublin, OH, Megan Henschen and her husband Craig of Alhambra, IL, and Allison Martin and her husband Kyle of Troy, IL, along with the lights of her life, her grandchildren, Emma Henschen, Ethan Henschen, Easton Henschen, and Tessa Martin. She is also survived by her siblings Kathy Barako and her husband John of Louisville, KY, Maggie Jensen and her husband Jim of Carmel, IN, Martin Gavin and his wife Kiki of Portland, OR, Robert Gavin and his wife Yolanda of Houston, TX, Virginia Elizabeth Gavin of Indianapolis, IN, and Ruth Ann Lugo and her husband Vince of Yorba Linda, CA, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Jimmy Gavin, and a sister Sr. Pat Gavin.
She grew up in Merrillville, IN. She attended Vocational Technical Institute in Indianapolis, IN where she studied medical assisting. After her marriage she and her husband lived briefly in Morton, IL and moved to Greenville in October of 1978. She worked several years for Greenville Medical Associates and then started working as a phlebotomist at Greenville Regional Hospital. In May of last year she left the hospital and was currently working in the lab at Greenville Family Practice. She was a member of the Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary and had also served as president. She had also co-chaired the Auxiliary's Hospital Bazaar twice. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
512 S. Prairie Street
Greenville, IL 62246
Monday, March 13, 2017
512 S. Prairie Street
Greenville, IL 62246
Greenville, IL 62246
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We are so sorry for the loss of MaryEllen. She was such s sweet special person. We are better to have known her. She always had a warm smile greeting, happy to see you, how are you. Heaven is a much better place with her there but our lives will be empty here on earth. You have our deepest sympathy and know this world was a better place because of her and she was so loved. Glen and Cheryl Mueller
To the Young and Gavin families, I am so sorry for your loss. I am a Jackson street neighbor, so I grew up with Mary Ellen and got to reconnect with her at our class reunion last August. It was so great to see her. She was always a sweet, fun loving person and she will be missed. Sending prayers for all of you. Mary (Franko) Rodriguez
This is so sad to hear. She was an amazing person. We were both pregnant at the same time our daughters were born a week apart. We both had breast cancer at the same time and I would talk to her when I went to get blood tests. She helped me get through it while being sick herself. Her kindness and smile could light up the day. Heaven is getting a true Angel. I Love you dear friend.
Such a shock! And such a sweet and kind person!! When having our blood work done at the hospital we would chatter about girls and the joy of having grandchildren. Thoughts and prayers for all the Youngs.
Such a sad loss. Rest well my friend, rest well.
So very sorry! Mary ellen was such a sweet caring person! My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and Prayers.
She was such a sweet person always happy and upbeat always had a smile glad i knew her you will be missed mary ellen RIP fky high on that mountain
Sad to hear of her passing she was always a friendly person and wore a smile on her face daily. My husband would give her a hard time when he would go for blood test but she gave it back, she will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mary Ellen's family. Allison was best friends with my son Drew and I became close to Mary Ellen and Al. I am in shock and my heart goes out to Al, Allison, Beth and Meagan. Mary Ellen was loved by everyone. She was the most loving, giving person around. I know the shock and emptiness Al and the girls are going through. I wish there was something I could say that would help. But know that she is loved. You are loved and everyone is here for you whenever you need it. God bless you all.
My mom had to have blood drawn every week when she was still living. My dad said Mary Ellen could draw blood painlessly.
My heart truly aches for you girls, I remember always coming over to your house to play with Allison and always thinking how genuinely kind your mother was. My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you! Love, Kara Price
My deepest prayers and love to the family during your time of pain. May God comfort you.
MaryEllen was an inspiration to us all. She was humble yet dignified, she was loving, kind hearted and her daughters and son in laws loved her dearly. A wonderful wife to Al and a fabulous Grandmother to Emma, Ethan, Easton and Tessa. those grandbabies were the light of your life as you were their light also. You will be so sadly missed.
Janet Scoggins I have known Mary Ellen for many years. She was just a lovely person inside and out. My heart goes to Al and the girls.
It was an honor to work by your side, you taught me so much. Always patient and kind. You will be Missed. Mary Ellen Young was just simply a great person, a devoted wife and mother. Stories, so many stories she shared. From childhood, how she met Alan, raising her family, vacations to Florida, working at the doctor office. So much life! She lived! She enjoyed life. Alan, Beth, Megan, Allison, as you already know, she loves you so dearly. You gave her life. There wasn't a day that she didn't talk about you. She loves her girls, she's so proud of her girls. She found son's in her son-in-laws. And don't get me started on them grandkids!! Oh my, the greatest gift. Her face would light up a room talking about her grandbabies. You could feel the love in her words. She will be missed by so many. RIP Mary Ellen.
I may have not known her outside the hospital but she was definitely a face that gave you comfort. I saw her every week for months. She was always cheerful and always remembered me by name. She probably never knew how her smile and asking me how things were going got me through. Thank you and I'll never forget you.
Alan, you have always been there for me and my family and especially when we lost Samantha. You and Mary Ellen have always been there for so many. She was a shining light. My prayers for you and your family.
Al, girls and their families, and all the Gavins extended family, My heart is broken on losing my life long friend Mary Ellen. We have had such great times throughout childhood, High school and adulthood before the girls and with the girls as they grew up. Our annual Cubs/Cards games in St Louis were always a highlight of the summer. Mary Ellen was the one of kindest most upbeat people I know. I will miss her tremendously. I feel like I lost someone in my family, which you are all family to me. I am so happy we high school girlfriends had a special weekend together last August at my house, we picked up like no time had past except for all the wonderful stories of family events we missed in between seeing each other. I know we will stay in contact even though I lost my lifeline to all that was going on with all of you. We all have another special person in heaven looking down on us. On behalf of my husband Terry and son Johnny, we love you all. See you soon. Sharon Newell
Al & family – I am saddened by your loss. Mary Ellen was always a very sweet person. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
After spending my evening reading the many, many Mary Ellen posts on various media, I've come to realize Mary Ellen was blessed with a very special gift. She made each one of us feel like her best friend. She touched so many…..
"Hoosier" friends
Wow. Where do I begin. When we worked for the hospital she was my go to person for all questions and she was always so nice about answering them. Now to the new office. I was so excited to get to work with her again. She was my partner in crime. We shared everything and were there for each other to vent to or laugh with. I'm so going to miss her awesome smile and personal amity every day. Fly high my beautiful friend. Prayers to Al and the girls during this difficult time.
Such a caring and nice person. Mary Ellen you will be missed. Prayers for Al and the rest of the family.
So sorry for your loss – Mary Ellen was a beautiful person inside and out – always had a smile -it was a joy to know her – Dottie Kious
Shine On
One of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever met! So sorry for your (our) loss.
Mary was one of the bright stars at the hospital for years.Nce to everyone she met always smiling.what a wonderful person she will be missed you many God Bless hugs to the family.
Mary Ellen was a beautiful person with an even more beautiful smile and personality. She always had kind words to offer and was very quick to brag about her beautiful children and grandchildren. It was always so nice to come to work knowing that you would see someone like Maryellen in the hallway and instantly would have a better day. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I hope you find peace in the beauty that if she left in the world.
Mary Ellen had a beautiful smile and she was always so kind and nice. I'm so sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Mary Ellen always had a smile and sweet greeting for us. Missed her so much and now forever. Thinking of your family in these difficult times. God Bless.
I was shocked to see Mary Ellen's name on the board. My deepest sympathy to Al and family. She was my favorite person at the lab. Still hard to believe she is gone. Gary Evans and family.
Did not know Mary Ellen, but as a former Greenvillian, I am in awe of her accomplishments to the Community and how much she is loved by everyone. Sympathy to the family, especially to those "lights", the Grandchildren. Ron Bimes, New Orleans
Dear Young and Gavin families, So sorry about Mary Ellen's passing. We share many great times growing up on Jackson Street. Our mothers were always volunteering us to do something at the church and school. May God bless each of you as you go through this difficult time. I know she is smiling down on you. She has a special place in my heart. Much Love, Miriam Tournai
Always a warm smile and a hug! She was precious to so many.
Al and family – we are truly saddened to hear of your loss. Mary Ellen was a wonderful person and we will miss her ever present smile. Grace and Peace.
I love you Aunt Mary Ellen!: Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. Amen!
My heart literally hurts with the loss of Mary Ellen. Growing up on Jackson Street, we were all family. It was like no other place I have ever seen. ME was 2 years older than me and was in the "cool" crowd. My friends in grade school were always so impressed when ME would talk to me. She made me feel cool too. I will never forget their wedding. I was a senior in high school and so impressionable and it was a blast. Then Ruthie and I went to visit them, and had such a wonderful time. She is so Santa!! I am so blessed to have had her in my life. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I really felt a connection. I am cancer free and know I will remain so as I have loved ones like her watching over me from heaven to keep me safe. I realize that all of Jackson Street will one day have a huge reunion in heaven. But for now, I feel the loss. Love to all the Gavins and Youngs.
Mary Ellen was the absolute best at drawing blood. She was so friendly and sweet. She was a good person all around. She will be missed.
Growing up on Jackson Street was like no other place. I looked up to Mary Ellen and thought that she was so cool that I wanted to be like her! Mary Ellen, and the entire Gavin family, hold a special place in my heart because we are all family. And although losing Mary Ellen leaves a hole in my heart, knowing that God, Santa, and Kay welcomed her home gives comfort. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kathleen (Tournai) Cheney
Dear Alan and Girls, My heart goes out to each of you. I so wish I could come to be there as you grieve and also as you celebrate Mary's life. My memories of her are memories of a very sweet person who was full of life and loved her family so much. Every word I have ever heard about her has been nothing but good! Love and Prayers, Aunt Bev
Dear Al and Family, To know Mary Ellen was to love her. The world was a better place for having her. My sincere sympathy, Betty Day
Alan, So sorry to hear about Mary Ellen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
A wonderful woman, and a great friend, she always told me of the time my grandmother lived next door to her and the family and on Sunday morning could hear God Bless America coming from across the street at grandma's house. Her smile would light up a room. All the ball games are girls played against each other. She will be missed by many. Prayers for the family on this great loss. Linda Goodin
Dear Alan and family, Sorry for your loss. We want to send our sympathies and prayers to your whole family. Don & Jane Chapman Morton, Illinois
Dear Alan and family, We are so sorry for the loss of Mary Ellen. I feel blessed to have known such a lovely lady. She will be missed. Her caring nature and beautiful smile made so many people feel good. May God grant you peace and strength to make it through the days ahead. Cary & Joan Wells
Alan and family, Melody and I are so sorry for your loss. I know how comforting and kind Mary Ellen was every time I needed a blood test out at the hospital, since she knew of my aversion to needles. God bless you and yours. You are in our prayers. Scott and Melody Spencer
To Alan and your wonderful family, we want you to know how much we grieve with you over the loss of your wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandma. As people have been saying over and over, Mary Ellen was truly one of a kind. She knew how to make you feel as if you were the most important person in her world as she took care of you. When my husband, Alan, lost his job at the hospital, Mary Ellen was always quick to ask how he was doing, offering such strategic words of comfort and assurance. Mary Ellen was an agent of God's peace and healing work in this community. She has blessed COUNTLESS people in this role. And now we reluctantly give her back to her Savior. May God bring true comfort and healing to you, Alan, and the children. We love you all. Alan and Lori Gaffner
Remembering what a great time Mary Ellen had at her 40th class reunion. What a super and gracious and kind woman. She will be missed by all.
Alan and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mary Ellen was such a wonderful, kind person. We would visit when I had to have a blood test. She would share about her kids and grandkids. It was such a joy to find her at the doctor's office when I had to take my brother in for blood work and a visit. What a perfect job for her if she weren't going to be at the hospital. She was always smiling and so cheerful. We will be praying for you and your family in this time of sorrow. Jim and Clareen Dunn