Virginia Clarke Younger

1923 - 2013

Virginia Clarke Younger obituary, 1923-2013, Seattle, WA

Virginia Younger Obituary

Virginia Clarke Younger

11/17/1923 ~ 12/7/2013

Affectionately known as "Skippy"

all of her life, Virginia Younger passed away on Dec. 7, within days after celebrating her 90th birthday. She was a 3rd generation Seattleite who returned to the city in the 1990s after a career of teaching English Literature at Grays Harbor and Pierce Colleges. She attended St. Nicholas School, Scripps College (1945), and earned masters degrees at Columbia University (1940s) and Western Washington University (1980s).

Skippy's fondest childhood memories were of summers at the beach (Bainbridge Island), Shining Mountain Camp (Montana), and sailing through the San Juan Islands with her best friend Mary Randlett and younger brother Cappy Clarke. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher and nurtured a lifetime love of English literature (especially Shakespeare and the Romantic poets), which she shared generously with her many students and family members. Later in life she loved sharing time with young family members at the Elkhorn Ranch in Montana.

Skippy is remembered by her family and friends as being remarkably supportive and for her unflinching determination to face life's challenges and opportunities in equal measure. She was an inspiration to all of us on how to live both a principled and joyful life.

She is survived by her daughter Erin Younger, son-in-law Ed Liebow, granddaughter Nabina Liebow, her brother, numerous nephews, a niece, and their families.

There will be a celebration of Skippy's life on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Driscoll Robbins Fine Carpets (the showroom/gallery of her grand nephew), 997 Western Ave. (at Madison).

Remembrances may be made to the staff appreciation fund at the Ida Culver House Broadview or Bertschi School.

Published by The Seattle Times from Dec. 11 to Dec. 15, 2013.
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Skippy, Mrs. Younger, inspired me in so many ways. To this day, she is the only person who could get me up at 5AM to go jogging! I remember those early morning conversations as we jogged around our Lakewood neighborhood. Nor how could I forget when she and her friend/colleague made a stuffed sloth and gave it to me as a graduation present. I gained a love of Shakespeare and the Romantics because of her passion--our trip to Ashland is still one of the highlights of my life. Forty years later, I can still remember her classes. Her persistence and zest for life even when suffering from RA was nothing short of remarkable. Who else would retire, go back to school to earn another Masters, and begin yet another teaching career?! As a person who also has a form of RA and is a teacher, I hope I am at least half the person and teacher Skippy Younger was, that my life will inspire students the way she inspired me. I feel privileged and blessed to have been her student. She truly was my mentor.

Teri Tveten

December 11, 2015

As one of her colleagues at Pierce College, I remember Skippy's dedication and energy as a teacher. She was highly admired by students and faculty alike, and she was certainly an inspiration to many who knew her and to students who took courses from her. I really enjoyed the very friendly debate that she and I maintained over quite a few years, regarding the question of T. S. Eliot's citizenship. I always (good naturedly) claimed that Eliot was an American poet; she took the stand that he was British. One of the highlights of my career was the three-day lecture series I gave in Skippy's British Literature class on T. S. Eliot. I was honored that she invited me to speak. Her passing is a loss, but I know that she had a very fulfilling life, and I'm glad that I was able to share in some of it.

William Krieger, PhD

January 22, 2014

I remember when Mrs.Younger and Erin came to Aberdeen to live. They lived on 6th Street and I remember the house so well. They had Danish furniture that I thought was so beautiful and I remember she had Barbra Streisand's(probably first) album playing and other really great music. Erin and I became fast friends and I spent a lot of time there. Skippy always had a smile on her face and a quick laugh for the things we did. I remember her as a great one of the Mom's. I also remember that they went to Montana during the summer and how much they loved it. I also remember Deborah Clise!
My husband had her for English Lit. and thought she was the best teacher.(I now leave all those "Jeopardy" questions up to him!) He said if someone was not showing up for her class, she would suggest to them to go to the office and drop her class.. no fooling around!
We were very lucky to grow up with people such as this lovely lady..

Laura Myers Balderston

December 21, 2013

Skippy, thank you for all the years we spent as good friends. You have a large group of FSCC friends ready to greet you.

December 15, 2013

Our loved ones who have died leave an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Please accept my sincere sympathy.

Liz

December 13, 2013

Dearest Skippy and Family, I will miss Skippy very much even though I haven't spent time with her for awhile. She was my Moms best friend for so many years. I remember the two of them enjoying adventures and Shakespeare and children, etc.
She was a very special person and I will always have a special place in my heart and memories for her. All my love to her and her family, Jocelyn Clise

December 12, 2013

back again, one more thing. Skippy introduced me to Elkhorn Ranch in Big Sky Country when I was 12...She is more than likely reason I moved to the Bitterroot Valley 3 years ago. The adventures of Elkhorn with Erin and Skippy and eventually turned into memories of my mom, siblings, cousins etc all venturing to the ranch for wonderful family memories. That is what Skippy was and is for me..Family..

Deborah Clise

December 12, 2013

Oh Skippy..you were my second mom for all of my childhood..So many many memories of Agate Pass, riding at Jimmy Rainwaters,Indian Point at Orcas Island, you and my mom bracing off in the Whaler for fishing adventures..There are not enough spaces here to share a life time of memories...I hold them all dear in my heart and am grateful you were such a large part of my life for so many years. Angel wings,freedom, teaching the other angels your love of literature by now I am sure...thank you for the memories, thank you for the love. hugs out to erin and family...

Deborah Clise

December 12, 2013

As an 18 year old, on the first hour of the first day of my freshman year, I wandered into the dreaded English Literature classroom at Grays Harbor College and met a person who changed my life.

I might have thought that Mrs. Younger was just another teacher. But that was until that first day in her class when she began to talk, or better yet I should say began to teach.

Looking back it is astonishing to realize that this scholar was teaching in a small community college off the beaten path in the Northwest corner of the country. She would have wowed any student in the finest college anywhere. Norton's Anthology was her constant companion. It became mine too.

I took a class from Virginia Younger every day for two years. Her weekly quizzes were daunting. Not high school type multiple choices but just a blue book, one question, good luck.

Mrs. Younger cared so strongly for her student's growth she once cried in class. Everyone had done poorly on that week's quiz because, as she concluded, when all students do poorly it is the teacher who has failed.

Even an 18 year old boy understands that kind of dedication and tries harder in return. Like so many other students, I was lucky to have stumbled into her class room.

William May

December 12, 2013

We will remember Skippy with affection and admiration.
We feel so fortunate to have known her if only so briefly.
Her lovely spirit lives on.

suzanne and Harvey Gerry

December 11, 2013

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Memorial Events
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Dec

15

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Driscoll Robbins Fine Carpets

997 Western Ave. (at Madison), WA

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