Susan (Major) Young was born July 4. 1940 in Youngstown, OH to Robert Bruce Major and Jane (Hum) Major. Susan was a happy and optimistic child and was 5 when her brother Charlie was born. Her father was a Boy Scout leader for many years and the children grew up involved in the Scouts, visiting Boy Scout Jamborees and various other events during their childhood. Her parents were also involved in the Masons and Susan, therefore, belonged to Job’s Daughters Organization. The family moved several times and Susan graduated high school at San Mateo High School, San Mateo, CA.
Susan met James Alvin Young in Alameda, CA and they married in 1961. Susan had 4 children, Jennifer Lynn Craft (1962), Debra Kay (Gosser) Kerr-Hunter (1964), Lynda Sue Ortiz (1965) and Daniel Jay Young (1970). James was an Active Duty Airman in the U.S. Navy. The family moved many times during their marriage and lived in Virginia, California and Hawaii. The marriage ended in 1972. Susan and the 4 children moved from Barber’s Point, HI to Temple City, CA to live with her parents.
Some of our fondest memories are from the time living in Temple City. During this time Susan got her CNA certificate and worked at Temple City Convalescent Hospital. She enjoyed her job helping others. Her sweet smile, gentle way, and humor were well-received by the residents she helped.
Susan never learned to drive a car, but, was a seasoned traveler on the LA County Bus system and could get virtually anywhere on a bus, always with children in tow.
Susan met Gordon “Rocky” Racco in the late 1980s and although they never married, they lived a quiet life together with their pet parakeets in Victorville, CA. These were happy times for Susan because they both enjoyed welcoming company. Due to health reasons, Susan moved to WaKeeney, KS in 2002. Rocky soon followed. Susan cared for him until he passed away in 2003.
In 2004, Susan purchased the first and only house she ever owned. She was so proud to make her monthly payments and enjoyed taking care of her own things. During this time, she also worked part-time at Debbie’s flower shop sweeping the floor, taking out trash, and watering plants.
Susan had an unexplained traumatic brain injury in 2007 and was left with short-term memory loss and dementia requiring her to reside in a nursing home. She had many nursing friends over the years being in 5 nursing homes, Long Term Care, Wheatland, Trego Manor, Rhode Island, and Smoky Hill in Salina which was her last facility.
To her children, Susan was the most caring, kind, gentle, and trusting person you could ever imagine. They believe that the very best traits each of them possess were taught to them by her example. She never met a stranger and her open and easy smile would make anyone meeting her immediately feel at ease. She was curious about other people and would often sacrifice her own comfort and needs for the good of another. She had a well-developed sense of humor and was prone to bouts of silliness just to make others laugh. She loved music and singing and would burst into song, often campfire songs, when she was feeling great.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband, and her longtime partner.
She is survived by her brother, Charles and wife Shari, 4 children Jenny, Debbie, Lynda and Danny and wife Mindy, 7 grandchildren, Stevie, Rayna (Joey), Ashley (Jeff), Amanda, Jimmy (Tess), Eileen and David Jr., 2 great-grandsons Dominic and Jamison, and 2 nieces Amy (Ben) and Marcie (Howdy).
She will be greatly missed.
Memorial services are not planned at this time. Cremation was chosen.
