Rita Kay Young

1942 - 2025

Rita Kay Young passed peacefully March 14, 2025, in Albuquerque, NM. Rita was born March 1, 1942, in Clovis, NM, and was one of the oldest living individuals with developmental disabilities and cerebral palsy in New Mexico.
Rita spent the first 24 years of her life with her family; her middle years with the State of NM Disability system and her senior years in group homes after moving to Albuquerque to be near her sister, Cindy Faris. Cindy served as Rita's advocate and guardian for 30 years and always ensured Rita had the care she needed.
Rita was predeceased by her parents John E. and Iris Young, her grandparents Etta Julia Young and John Arthur Young, all of McAlister, NM, and Grandparents Mont and Tom Love of Greer, NM. Rita was the last surviving member of her family to have met her Uncles Jack and Dan Love, who were both killed in WWII and are listed on the Curry County War Memorial in Clovis, NM. Her uncle Dan gave her the nick name "Doodle Bug" and she wore his US Navy hat when he was home on leave. She was a special favorite of her Uncle Merle Love of Visalia CA.
Rita is survived by her siblings Harvey Young, John T. Young (Susan), Cindy Faris (Bart), Nancy Young Wright (Allen) numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and caregivers.
Rita enjoyed being outdoors. When she was younger and walked on her own, she liked to touch bushes and flowers. Later she went outside with assistance.
She enjoyed outings to the Rio Grande Zoo and going to Los Compadres Day Care program, which featured art and music programming and loads of fun activities. Rita enjoyed having her nails done and getting "fancied up." She enjoyed rocking chairs, music of all kinds and good meals. Her favorite foods were anything sweet, but especially Dairy Queen treats and yogurt.
Rita was born decades before laws were enacted to provide educational opportunities, therapies, and support for children with disabilities and their families, but she had years of care from her family. Her grandmother stood her up by a chair every day until she started walking at age five.
Before then, her father and grandfather carried her. She helped her grandmother run the family business-a dry goods and grocery store-and gave visitors tours of the animals living on their farm. Although she was non-verbal, Rita communicated with smiles, laughs, and gestures.
Rita will best be remembered in a kindness you can do for someone else. The family would like to thank Rita's caregiving team at ARCA, her therapists, her Service Coordinator, Cassandra Sickenger, her Primary Care Physician, Dr. Megan Molleck, the staff at Rust hospital, and the staff with Bosque Trails Hospice, who provided compassionate and attentive care.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rita's memory to ARCA https://arcaopeningdoors.org/support-arca/
Memorial services will be announced at a later date; those interested may email nyw1@earthlink.net for details.