Mary Young Obituary

YOUNG, Mary Mary Heiterer Young peacefully passed away at her home in the late evening on Tuesday, at the age of 85. Mary, who was also known as Mary Frances, was born in Charleston on February 24, 1923. She was the daughter of the late Theodore Laurence Heiterer and Teresa Heavey Heiterer. As a young person, Mary's life seemed to evidence a certain special quality and spirit. She liked school, and she was an excellent student. She was athletic, and she was especially talented in swimming and basketball. She enjoyed singing and dancing, and on a number of occasions, she sang and competed successfully on the local radio. A Latin from Manhattan and When I Fall in Love were two of her favorite songs, which she continued to sing throughout all her life. Mary was also, always a pretty girl; from birth to her passing. In her school annual they compared her looks to that of a movie star, and wrote, Her eyes do twinkle in her head aright, as do the stars on a frosty night. As an adult, Mary's life seemed to continue to evidence a certain special quality and spirit. At the young age of nineteen, she married the love of her live, William John Young. They were blessed with five children. During this time, Mary very much enjoyed being a devoted and loving wife, mother and homemaker, and would, later in life, refer to this period as her happiest days. And then, at the young age of forty-six, her beloved husband suddenly passed away. Several years later, she lost her grandchild, Jennifer, in a tragic accident at the tender age of seven. And, as in all of our lives, she experienced other unexpected events and challenges though the years. Mary always accepted these circumstances without question, and without complaint. She remained strong and steady, dignified and determined. She remained calm and contented, kind and caring. She remained happy and hopeful, unselfish and hardworking. Above all, she remained trusting and true to her lifelong faith in God. For Mary knew God and loved Him completely. And then, on a sad note, over the past several years, Mary lived with Alzheimer's Disease. Notwithstanding, and up to and through the very end, this dear lady remained with a smile on her face, that twinkle in her eyes, and that same special quality and spirit, ever present. And so, Mary, in fact, lived a simple life. A simple life filled with fun and laughter. A simple life filled with love and goodness. A simple life, in which, Mary simply embraced everything that was before her, whatever it was, with all that she had. And so, as such, in her own special way, without fanfare, notoriety or public acclaim, Mary also, in fact, lived - a wonderful life! Dearest, as she was called by those closest to her, will be forever missed and always remembered. May the holy angels welcome you, dearest Mary, and lead you into Paradise… Mary is survived by five children and their spouses, all of whom dearly loved her: William (Bill) John Young, Jr. and his wife Betty; Thomas Laurence (Larry) Young and his wife Angela; Jane Young Malcolm and her husband Bob; Joy Young Altman and her husband Paul and Robert Allen Young. She is also survived by three sisters and one brother-in-law: Elizabeth H. Gissell, Anne H. Knox and Helen H. Garrett and her husband Tommy; with four of her brothers and sisters preceding her in death: Laurence Heiterer, Joseph Heiterer, Alice Heiterer Cantwell and Rita Heiterer Lewis. In addition, Mary is survived by seven grandchildren: Helga Young, Jamie Malcolm, Amy Young Copeman, William Malcolm, Mary Julia Young, Anne Malcolm Parnell and Gil Altman; two great-grandchildren: Ricky Michiels and little John Laurence Copeman, one special nephew and godchild, Eddie Garrett, and a number of other very fine nieces and nephews. Please know that Mary is also survived by, and thankful to, seven fabulous ladies who cared for her in a special way in the latter days and years: Teresa Middleton Jefferson, Daisy Johnson from New York, Lenora Brown, Vanessa Middleton, Gypsy Rose Creasman, Janice Murray and Albertha Fields. Mary is also thankful to the Red Team of Hospice of Charleston, especially Kristie Higdon, Gwen Prestidge and Barbara Byrd, for their professionalism and tender care over the past six weeks. The final visitation will be on Friday, November 28, 2008 from 4:30 in the afternoon to 6:30 in the evening, with the Rosary being recited at 4:30 at McAlister-Smith Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant. All friends and relatives are specially invited to attend the funeral service of Mary Heiterer Young on Saturday at 10:30 in the morning, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Church, where she was a member. The Cathedral is located at 120 Broad Street in the City of Charleston. The burial along with farewell prayers will immediately follow at Saint Lawrence Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406 or to Pet Helpers, 1430 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412 or Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be sent to the Young family via www.mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.