Joanne P. Young

1933 - 2015

Joanne P. Young obituary, 1933-2015, Fort Wayne, IN

BORN

1933

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home

6131 St Joe Road

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Joanne Young Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 26, 2015.

Joanne Patricia McFarlin Young, 82, crossed over to be with her beloved on Tuesday, March 25, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Detroit, MI on January 10, 1933 to the late Edward John McFarlin and Frances Claire Bogart (originally Zofia Kukulka), and moved to Fort Wayne, IN during the mid-1940s. She attended Central Catholic High School, where she was third in her graduating class, and became a Registered Nurse at the St. Joseph School of Nursing. Joanne was a leader in natural health, and created important initiatives in the community. She brought La Leche League International to the State of Indiana in the 1950s at a time when breast feeding guidance and information was not available, and served as Regional Director for the north half of Indiana for 25 years. Considered to be the Mother of the Co-op, Joanne was a founder of Three Rivers Food Co-op Natural Grocery, was manager (volunteer) in the beginning of the first store location, and co-manager for 30 years. In retirement, she continued to serve at the Co-op seven days per week as a volunteer through her 82nd year, helping members in the Wellness Department and maintaining free literature on latest alternative health research. She has helped thousands of people in the region take responsibility for their own informed health choices. Joanne is survived by siblings Arlene Baker, Mary Ellen (Michael) Shingleston, Diane Distelrath and Daniel Distelrath, her nine children, John (Janet) Young, Jr., Julie (David) Glant, Jeanette Young, Jain (David Greene) Young, James (Karen) Young, Jerome (Trish) Young, Jeffrey (Rebecca) Young, Joel (Tammy) Young, and Janelle Young, as well as 24 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was a surrogate mother to many more. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband John William Young and her brother Robert Distelrath.

Funeral service will be 1 pm Wednesday April 1, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, Tuesday March 31, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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April 3, 2015

Francine Hessey

I am very sorry to hear of Joanne's passing. I worked with her for many years, she has helped so many people and she will be missed very much.
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Rest in peace Joanne, we will pray for you.

April 1, 2015

Chris Christensen

When I think of the Co-op, I think of Joanne, making her way around the store with her cart. She always stopped to talk to me and my son. She had a servant's heart and enjoyed helping people. I will miss her.

March 31, 2015

Jenny Patty

We are sorry to hear of Joanne's passing. We will miss her. We have known her for 30 years through Three Rivers Food Coop. We will be praying for you all as you lay her to rest Wednesday. She has been a blessing in our lives.

Mark & Jenny Patty

March 31, 2015

Kathy Fry-Miller

Sending hugs and kind thoughts to your family.

March 31, 2015

Rita Dunfee

My heartfelt condolences to and your family on the loss of your mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother.

March 31, 2015

Nancy Hoagland

Thinking of you Jeff with prayers and sympathy to you and your family.

March 31, 2015

julie glant

Here is another accomplishment that mom made. I did not know about this. She never mentioned it! I found a certificate in her high school yearbook this week. It was from Indiana University. She was given an award for high school achievement. The certificate reads "awarded recognition for excellent performance in the 1949 contest in Latin. Tied for 1st place in State"!!

March 31, 2015

Jeff Glidewell (SHB)

Jeff, you and your family are in my prayers.

March 31, 2015

Dan Bishton

Fort Wayne has lost a great teacher and our city is much the better for having had Joanne (and John) in our midst for so many years. Her pioneering invovement in the LaLeche league, in promoting and teaching parenting classes and especially the gift of the 3-Rivers Food Coop has enriched young and old for many decades. Joanne was one of a kind. She was wise and generous with her wisdom and I will miss her much. My heart and thoughts are with her many children, grandchildren and family who kept a faithful and loving watch over her during her last days. She loved you all more than anything else in the world.

March 31, 2015

Audrey Hindle

Joanne was a great mentor in her wisdom with advice on mothering and nutrition. She will be greatly missed in our community. May your family remember her soft loving presence in your lives.

March 30, 2015

Joyce and Dick Tutwiler

There are very few words to express how sad it is to lose someone like Joanne. After knowing her and having her advice offered at the Co-Op there is a huge empty space in our lives. She left too soon, but I am sure God has a special place for her. I know the memories she made will keep the family close. God bless the whole Young family.

March 30, 2015

Connie Shaw

I knew Joanne long before becoming besties with Jain and Echo. My Mother and I long ago use to shop the original Three Rivers Food Coop. I remember her talking to my Mom about her health issues. She has influenced me since I was in my teens after my Mom first heart attack. So happy to have been blessed with Joanna in my life... Blessings to all of her family and loved ones.

March 30, 2015

Rob Koontz

I lived across the street from the Youngs for a few years as an adolescent, and Joanne and her late husband John and the Young children always went out of the way to make me feel welcome in their home and a member of their extended family at a time when my family were all going separate directions. I still consider them both and the children they raised to be my second family. So sorry to hear of her passing.

March 29, 2015

We were neighbors for more than 20 years, what a wonderful mother and caring person.She will be missed so much by everyone., so sorry for your loss!!!

Jim and Marsha Pepple

March 29, 2015

Joanie Moody

What a sweet lady. I can't count the number of times over the years when Julie would tell me about the words of wisdom, encouragement, advice and support her mom had given her. I pray the Lord's sweet comfort to the whole family.

March 28, 2015

Susan Penrod

Joanne offered me her experience and encouragement over the course of many years. I started working for La Leche League after she'd stopped, but she'd always have something to share when I stopped in the co-op: stories, some new information, or some old books. She stayed connected to the work that she got rolling here many years ago, and she supported many of us as we carried on. Her impact was great, and it continues to spread. I send you my love as you grieve. May her memory be a blessing to you.

March 28, 2015

Diane Dickson

I was shopping at the Co-op today and just learned of Joanne's passing. So sorry to her of it, my condolences to members of the extended Young clan. As a volunteer for the Co-op newsletter for 19 years, I admired her pioneering spirit in holistic health and enjoyed our shared distrust of the FDA. Every time I shopped at the Co-op, Joanne always stopped to chat and share the latest crossword clue for "oboe." Joanne embodied the spirit of the Co-op as a place of nurturing and caring for health and healing. She will be greatly missed!

March 28, 2015

Mario & Deborah Marron

May God rest her soul. Condolences to the family

March 28, 2015

Julie Glant

Mom was always self-sacrificing. I remember when I turned 8 or 9, she gave me (what I thought of as) an elaborate birthday party. She had only been home from the hospital with a new baby for about 3 days. What a woman!!

March 27, 2015

Mary Abella

Through La Leche League, Joanne taught me wonderful things about good mothering and good nutrition. I owe her a deep debt of gratitude for the mother that I was and grandmother that I am today. Rest in peace, Joanne, you have run the good race!

March 27, 2015

Koren Albright

Joanne was quiet but always a friendly presence at the co op. She always encouraged me when I would breastfeed my babies in the store. I had occasion to drive her home a few times and she always had the best stories of nursing and birth. Her wisdom was vast and she will be very missed. My heart goes out to her entire family and especially to My friend Echo who was a beloved granddaughter to Joanne.

March 27, 2015

Jana Shellman

I met Joanne & John when they began the Co-op buying club and Joanne has been a good friend for 40 years. I will greatly miss her...I was missing her already since she became ill, and kept looking for her to be sitting in the office cubicle at the front of the store every time I went. She was a gentle soul but a solid rock for her family and for the Co-op she helped to found. Condolences to her family.

March 27, 2015

Robin Brennan-Perez

I'm thankful for Joann, for all that she brought to our lives. That includes her beautiful children. We have been blessed.
--Robin

March 27, 2015

Barbara Brenneman

I loved to make her smile.

March 27, 2015

Susan Weiss

Jain, and family.please accept our sincere condolences on your mother's passing. What a forward thinking person. Your community was so blessed to have her.

March 27, 2015

Diane Guthier

Sorry about your mother. It is always a great loss when you lose your mother.

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home

6131 St Joe Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46835

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