Esther Irene Young

Esther Irene (Palmer) Young passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Creekside nursing facility - to be with our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ. She was born in Chewsville, MD - to the late Russell Martin Palmer & Calmeda Virginia (Marker) Palmer - on October 5, 1930. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Paul Palmer, Mary Longnecker, Opal Keefer, Gerald Palmer, Margaret Cossick, and half-sister Mildred Smith, and her husband Howard Young.

 She was a graduate of the old Hagerstown High School; and spent her working career as a clerk at the old Peoples Drug Store, beautician, and grocery store clerk. Having grown up during the Great Depression, she lived frugally for herself … but always found a way to help others.

She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Reformed Church, and later - Blair’s Valley Church of God. Her main interests in life were her service to her Lord and her family - especially her parents. She enjoyed taking her parents and other family to the old time church picnics where they grew up - to enjoy the homemade victuals, fellowship, gospel string music, and the cool mountain air. Her work ethic, authenticity, dependability, genuine humility, & love and appreciation for God’s wonderful blessings were unsurpassed. She always had a smile and hug for everyone, and generously shared her optimism and blessings … with her signature by-line - “Wootsie Wootsie” - accompanied by a playful tickle! Her goodbyes were equally memorable - “So long for now” & “Happy Trails”!

We celebrate a simple, honest, generous, humble, Christian “life well lived”; and are all better for having enjoyed her stellar example in our lives, and will never forget her!

She is survived by niece Betty Jane & John Miner of Hagerstown; nephew John Cossick & Mary Wood of Montrose, Colorado; and nephew Thomas Cossick & Suzanne Poirier of Norcross, GA.

A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday March 2, 2024, at 10:00 am at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, MD.

Visitation will be held  1 hour prior at Rest Haven funeral Home.