Carole R. Young

Carole Young of Auburn, New York, passed away peacefully on Monday January 12, 2026, with family members by her side. She is the daughter of the late Arlene (Anderson) Reed and Malcolm Reed. She is predeceased by her husband Donald A. Young, and her sisters Marlene French and Elizabeth (Betsy) Reed. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Becky) Young (husband William Curtin), her son Robert Reed Young (wife Amy Young) and 7 grandchildren: Sean and Julia Curtin, and Brayden, Liam, Riley, Jackson and Lyla Young.

Carole was born on August 21, 1939, in Auburn, New York. She grew up in Auburn with her two sisters, Marlene (MeMe) and Betsy. When Carole was 6 years old, she spent the year confined to her bed because physicians were concerned about her heart murmur. It was a difficult time, but her mother Arlene took wonderful care of her. One of mom’s fondest memories from childhood was spending time at the cottage on Owasco Lake. Carole also loved school and playing the violin.

Carole graduated from Cornell University with a degree in home economics. She imagined a job designing women’s clothes, but she ultimately pursued teaching. While teaching home economics in Greece, NY, she met and then married Donald Young. Carole and Don were happily married for over 60 years. In 1974, Carole and Don built a lovely home in Irondequoit, New York.

Carole eventually obtained her masters in reading at Nazareth College. She helped many students over the years learn to read and to write and was the first to start the annual “Celebration of Writing” at Klem South Elementary school in Webster NY. Sparking children’s love for reading and writing was perhaps her proudest achievement.

Carole was passionate about books, writing, gardening, nature, and traveling. She loved participating in various book clubs over the years, and she traveled to many countries, including Iceland, Norway, Ireland, Croatia, France, England, Germany, Scotland, Alaska, and China. In her retirement years, Carole wrote and then published 3 children’s books. First was The Runaway Egg, then On Pins and Needles, then Nathan the Note Nerd. Her sister Betsy, a gifted artist, illustrated On Pins and Needles. In 1989, Carole and Don moved to 666 North Cover Drive, where they enjoyed a beautiful view of Irondequoit Bay. They also lived at 328 Maryview, and then Cherry Ridge retirement community. Carole and Don were members of Irondequoit Presbyterian Church and then Webster Methodist Church, where they sang in the choir, participated in Bible study, and sat on several committees. Attending church and deepening her faith was important to Carole throughout her life. For several years, Carole was a volunteer at the Comfort Care Home in Webster. She lovingly interviewed patients there and published their life stories for their families. Carole eventually moved to Beverly, MA to live closer to her children Becky and Bob.

Carole will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, proud grandmother and friend. She was selfless, creative, humble, and caring. Her life will be celebrated at a later time in Webster NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Webster Comfort Care home by visiting https://www.webstercomfortcare.org/donate.