Mary Ellen Young

YOUNG, Mary Ellen (Gundlach) (Age 83) Our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on Friday, November 18, 2011. She was born in Spokane on May 14, 1928, attended Grant Elementary, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1946. She attended WSU and Whitworth. Mary worked as an office assistant in various businesses, retiring from Empire Glass Co. as an outside salesperson in 1976. She was the first woman in the U.S. who sold window and auto glass! Mary was the matriarch of her family, and her life was filled with the love of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She enjoyed family gatherings, always encouraging her family to remain close throughout their lives. In her early years, she enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Newman Lake. Later her leisure time was spent enjoying nature at their property near Waitts Lake. Mary was a world-wide traveler visiting six continents! At home she delighted in sewing, crafting, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, John, of 43 years; her children, Karen (Jesse) Cabrera and Lynn (Ron) Flatow; her grandchildren, Keith (Lisa) Dunlop, Sean Flatow, and Michelle Flatow, all of whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by her step-children, Sheryl (Keith) Engstrom, Debbie (Rick) Harshman, David Young, Steven (Marylin) Young, and their children, who all held a special place in her heart. In addition, she cherished her many life-long friends. The family wants to express their thanks to the staff at Deaconess Hospital for their compassionate care. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 3, at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N Division, Spokane, WA. A reception will follow at John and Mary’s home, and all who knew her are invited to join and share their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local chapters of American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. We love you dearly and will miss you deeply, but we are comforted knowing that you are no longer in pain or suffering and that you are with those loved ones who are welcoming you home.