Josephine Louise (Russo) Young, M.D., 92, of Walnut Creek, California, passed away peacefully in her home on October 21, 2025. She was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on February 12, 1933, to Frank and Angela (Balliro) Russo, both immigrants from Sicily. She grew up in a bustling household with older brothers Emmanuel "Manny" and Joseph "Joey," sister Rose Marie, and younger brother Vincent.
The family eventually settled in Oakland, California, where Josephine attended Oakland Technical High School. Exploring the East Bay, she discovered the peaceful beauty of nearby Walnut Creek and its walnut orchards — a place she would one day call home.
After graduating from UC Berkeley and inspired by her godfather Ralph Della Sala, M.D., Josephine studied medicine at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, earning her M.D. in 1959. Drawn to caring for children, she became a pediatrician at a time when few women entered the field. Her compassion, determination, and sharp intellect defined a meaningful and accomplished career.
Following medical school she practiced at Kaiser Hospital in her beloved Walnut Creek, where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Gary Young, M.D., who practiced there as well. They married in 1965 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oakland and celebrated their reception at Berkeley's historic Claremont Hotel. After a move to Los Angeles for Gary's residency in otolaryngology at White Memorial, they welcomed three children — Michael, Theresa, and Philip — before returning to Walnut Creek, where their youngest, Margaret, was born.
Her life was full of passion and purpose. She was proud of her Italian heritage, was an active member of the Catholic Church, and loved hosting family gatherings, tending to her expansive garden, and cooking delicious meals. She embodied generosity, warmth, and resilience. Even after suffering a stroke in her late 80s, she remained driven and creative, sewing beautiful napkins, pillow covers and tablecloths as gifts for her loved ones.
Josephine is survived by her sister Rose Marie Bostwick; her children Michael (Kim), Theresa (Randy Lord), Philip (Shelby), and Margaret (Ali Tahbaz); and her grandchildren Viola, Paloma, Mercer, Dalyn and Peter.
True to her generous spirit, and as her husband before her, she has donated her remains to the UCSF School of Medicine as part of their Willed Body Program. Her energy and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
The family eventually settled in Oakland, California, where Josephine attended Oakland Technical High School. Exploring the East Bay, she discovered the peaceful beauty of nearby Walnut Creek and its walnut orchards — a place she would one day call home.
After graduating from UC Berkeley and inspired by her godfather Ralph Della Sala, M.D., Josephine studied medicine at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, earning her M.D. in 1959. Drawn to caring for children, she became a pediatrician at a time when few women entered the field. Her compassion, determination, and sharp intellect defined a meaningful and accomplished career.
Following medical school she practiced at Kaiser Hospital in her beloved Walnut Creek, where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Gary Young, M.D., who practiced there as well. They married in 1965 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oakland and celebrated their reception at Berkeley's historic Claremont Hotel. After a move to Los Angeles for Gary's residency in otolaryngology at White Memorial, they welcomed three children — Michael, Theresa, and Philip — before returning to Walnut Creek, where their youngest, Margaret, was born.
Her life was full of passion and purpose. She was proud of her Italian heritage, was an active member of the Catholic Church, and loved hosting family gatherings, tending to her expansive garden, and cooking delicious meals. She embodied generosity, warmth, and resilience. Even after suffering a stroke in her late 80s, she remained driven and creative, sewing beautiful napkins, pillow covers and tablecloths as gifts for her loved ones.
Josephine is survived by her sister Rose Marie Bostwick; her children Michael (Kim), Theresa (Randy Lord), Philip (Shelby), and Margaret (Ali Tahbaz); and her grandchildren Viola, Paloma, Mercer, Dalyn and Peter.
True to her generous spirit, and as her husband before her, she has donated her remains to the UCSF School of Medicine as part of their Willed Body Program. Her energy and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
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