Virginia L. Young

Virginia “Ginny” Kenan Young, 92, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby, Ohio on December 17, 2022, surrounded by her children.

Ginny will be remembered by all who her knew her as a loving and caring person who was devoted to family and friends, and to her many church and community groups to which she dedicated years of volunteer service.

Ginny was born in Syracuse, New York, to James Kenan and Hazel Cuddeback Kenan. She grew up in Syracuse before moving to Buffalo, NY in 1942 and graduating from Bennett High School in 1948. She went on to attend the College of Wooster (Ohio), graduating in 1952 with a major in sociology. During her college years, Ginny spent summers working as a counselor and waterfront director at Girl Scout camps and then at Silver Bay YMCA camp on Lake George in NY.

In September 1952, Ginny moved to Cleveland, OH to work as a bank teller and met the love of her life, Robert Irvin Young, at a church youth group event that same month. By December, she and Bob were engaged, and the couple married on June 13, 1953. Three children - David, Rick, and Kathy - followed at two-and-half year intervals, as she and Bob made a life in Cleveland Heights. While raising her children, Ginny served as a Girl Scout leader and was an active member of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered in the office for over 30 years. Ginny and Bob were active members of the Church “Hilltoppers” group for decades, organizing retreats, square-dancing, and bridge clubs. She also volunteered at Hillcrest Hospital where she worked in the gift shop, also for over 30 years. In 2003, she and Bob moved to Breckenridge Village where they became active members of the community.

Ginny loved to travel, and she and Bob took the family on many summer road trips, introducing their children to most of our national parks. She and Bob instilled a deep passion for travel, nature, and the awesome diversity and breadth of our country. In retirement, Bob and Ginny continued exploring and learning, taking 39 Elder Hostel trips and making several excursions to Europe.

Ginny was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Kenan, and her sister, Shirley Kenan Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Robert Young; by her children and their spouses, David Young (Cynthia), Richard Young (Mary), and Kathryn Young Deaville (David); and five grandchildren: Arthur, Savannah, Peter, Gabrielle, and Olivia.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on January 17th, at Lyons Chapel on the Ohio Living Breckenridge Village campus in Willoughby. After the service there will be a reception at the North Private Dining Room at the North Apartments of Ohio Living Breckenridge Village.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The Ohio Living Foundation – Breckenridge or Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.