Mary Lorraine Young

WHITEFIELD Mary Lorraine (Robinson)Young, 93, of Whitefield, passed away at The Morrison Nursing Home on April 26, 2017 after a period of deteriorating health.

Born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, Mary graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1943 and attended the University of New Hampshire where she graduated in 1946 with a BS in Business. Upon graduation, Mary began her life-long passion in education at Twin Mountain High School.

Soon after in 1947, she married her high school sweetheart Clayton J. Young. They moved into their home in Twin Mountain where she resided until 1991.

Mary took a short break in service to care for her two young children, then continued her career at Twin Mountain High School serving as a teacher in the Commercial Business Department and then as the school's Teacher/Principal until 1962, when the school was consolidated into Whitefield High School. Soon after her assignment to Whitefield High School, several regional towns cooperated in the founding of the White Mountain Regional High School. Mary was appointed as the head of the Business Department where she taught for 16 years before her retirement in 1991.

During her 39 years in education, Mary received numerous awards and recognitions from organizations such as: Delta Kappa Gamma - a member for 46 years (ceremonial 45-year pinning summer 2016), Beta Alpha State Treasurer from 1979 to 1993 and an active chapter member, a member of the Retired Teachers Association, NH Educational Association and Lancaster Business & Professional Woman's Club.

Beyond her passion for education, she was committed to her community. She worked with others to attain grants for the establishment of the Twin Mountain Lake for family recreation. With her leadership and that of others, they organized "family nights" for the residents of Twin Mountain. Mary served the town as the Deputy Town Clerk and Treasurer and the Secretary for Twin Mountain Chamber of Commerce for 24 years.

Mary always said "you have to be a participant rather than a spectator" and lived that motto to the fullest, being involved with the Littleton Ladies VFW Auxiliary and Littleton Senior Center. Later Mary became an integral part of the Riverglen House where she resided for almost 11 years. She served on the Welcoming Committee, Activities Committee and was the liaison to the Littleton Public Library for the residents.

Although the many awards and commendations she received over her lifetime were very important to Mary, none were more important than the personal and heartfelt recognition of thanks and appreciation she received from her many generations of students over her years of teaching. Her students were her life's work and nothing made her prouder than seeing them attain their potential. For many of them, she was their teacher; for some she was their mentor; but for many others, she was, and will always be Mother Young. Many of her students were with her up until the end giving her hugs and saying their good-byes. It is why she chose to do what she did with her life.

Mary was predeceased by parents William and Vera (Morton) Robinson, husband Clayton, brother William Robinson, sister Sally Ramsey, and Son-in-law William Kittridge and Lucien "Lucky" Morneau a long-time friend.

Survived by her son, John R. Young and his wife, Linda, of Concord, NH; her daughter, Marcia (Young) Kittridge of Littleton, NH, and her Granddaughter, Amy Kittridge of Winooski, VT and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to WMRHS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Attn: Kelly Renaud, PO Box 338 Whitefield, NH 03598.

Thank you to staff of the Morrison Nursing Home for the care the last two and a half years. Words cannot describe the care, support and love Mary received from all of you during her time with you. This passion for your work is why you do what you do. Every day you are positively impacting people's lives in very difficult times and making a difference. Mother Young would approve.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at the All Saints Catholic Church, 163 Main Street, Lancaster, New Hampshire, May 17, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Graveside service will be private at the convenience of the family.