Lucy Jane Young

Lucy Jane (known as "Jane") Young was born November 20, 1925, in Bedford, Ohio to Ella Lorenza McConnell and Frank Harry Washko. Jane had one older brother, Frank Harrison Washko.

Throughout much of her childhood, Jane took great pride in helping her parents with their family business, the Washko Greenhouse. Their greenhouse served the Bedford community for several decades from 1940 through 1965, providing floral arrangements for special occasions, weddings and funerals, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, that took many a family hand to produce.

Jane graduated from Bedford High School in 1944 and learned the French Horn, so she could join the band giving her an opportunity to attend basketball and football games!

Jane had a call to nursing, and she attended St. Alexis Hospital's Nursing School from 1945-1949. After graduating, she passed the nursing board exams and worked as a Registered Nurse through 1952.

Jane married William "Bill" Joseph Young on February 3, 1951, being introduced when Bill visited a patient that Jane cared for at St. Alexis Hospital, Joe McGregor. Joe and his wife, Evangeline (Van), became very close with Jane and Bill, and they enjoyed a dear friendship throughout their lifetime.

Jane and Bill joined Gesu parish in University Heights, Ohio and raised four daughters on S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights, where they resided for over 50 years. Jane's status as a parishioner at Gesu spanned 75+ years, and she attended Sunday morning mass without exception until she relocated to Kentucky in 2020 to be close to her daughter, Karen Young and four grandchildren.

Jane was a "doer!" She often volunteered as a school nurse at Gesu School. Jane returned to the nursing profession in 1965, joining the staff at Suburban Community Hospital, a local community-based hospital, serving the Warrensville Heights and surrounding areas. Jane worked part-time, three days a week, on second shift, to financially assist the family with the growing costs of Catholic education, braces and weddings for the girls. Jane's career at Suburban, now Cleveland Clinic's South Pointe Hospital, spanned 25 years, in which she attained the leadership position of Nursing Supervisor for the hospital's evening shift. Jane retired in 1990 at 65 to begin pursuing the joys of the "golden years."

During retirement, Jane and Bill traveled abroad on several trips and especially enjoyed England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with their dear friends, Gwen and Lou Konya, Annabelle and Frank Stech, and Jane's brother and sister-in-law, Frank and June Washko. They also visited Paris and Switzerland, and Bill shared many a photo of their exciting excursions.

Jane and Bill were active at Gesu and joined the Couple's Club participating in numerous parties and the fun Friday night Bowling League. Jane was an avid golfer and played a leadership role on Gesu Women's Golf League for over two decades, often coordinating the play, and the various social events of the group's golf season. She routinely computed the player's handicaps (by hand)! Jane played golf fair and square. She did not believe in "mulligans" and often stated, "You must count every stroke and take penalties or else it's cheating"! Jane's best score was "40" for 9-holes, and she was proud of it! Jane loved golf and continued to drive a golf cart at 98, when accompanying her children on the course!

Jane's role in volunteering has left an impressionable mark on her daughter's lives. As a member of the Gesu Women's Guild, she sewed for the American Cancer Society, often hosting "sewing night" in her home. Jane also gave her time to assist with adding up Gesu's donations from masses and special fundraising events for countless years. For 25 years, Jane volunteered weekly at St. Malachi's Church, in downtown Cleveland serving lunches in their soup kitchen. At 70, she began taking blood pressures weekly at the Little Sisters of the Poor skilled nursing home, often monitoring patients much younger than her. At 80, she joined the volunteer team at University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, and served patients complete with a formal business uniform. Lastly, Jane was a proud member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and attended meetings and events to promote the group's worthy causes.

Jane loved entertaining and always had an open door to many neighbors, friends and family. Jane displayed warm hospitality by putting on dinner parties with ease and her own personal flair, making all her guests feel welcome.

Jane was a fighter! She survived a broken hip, making a remarkable comeback at 93. She overcame several bouts of pneumonia, and she was resilient in recovering from COVID-19 twice, even though she was compromised with Sjogren's disease since her early 60s. Jane did not let anything get her down and was one of the most active residents at Morning Pointe, the assisted living center, where she resided in Kentucky, despite being older than most of her neighbors there. Often, when Jane returned from an evening out, the medical staff would say, "Miss Jane, she stays out later than we do!" attesting to her unending energy level.

Later in Jane's life, well beyond her 90th birthday, Jane set a goal to reach 100 years of age. She often said, with a sparkle in her eye, "It would be fun to reach 100!" Jane attained that goal this past November 20th, and the "red carpet" was rolled out in her honor. Many relatives and friends traveled from afar to celebrate with Jane and the Young daughters. It was an amazing weekend, filled with love, cheer and fond memories that are cherished by all in attendance. Jane was truly touched and grateful to all who recognized her milestone achievement with cards, tributes and mementos, including the community support shown for this very special occasion.

Looking back at Jane's enriched life, we were blessed to have an incredibly loving, compassionate, kind and inspiring mother, grandmother, aunt and friend with us for so long. She taught us by example showing a positive spirit, despite the odds, and always displayed a forgiving heart. Jane lifted us up with her encouraging words, helping hands and "can do" attitude. Most of all, she was a dignified lady, full of faith, grace, and always putting others first. Jane was a role model and great matriarch, who will leave a one-of-a-kind impressionable footprint in our hearts and lives.

Jane was proceeded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her parents, and her brother, Frank, who she dearly admired.

Jane is survived by four daughters, namely; Carol Sterba (Rick), Joan McCord (Jay), Marian McVicker (Michael), and Karen Young; 12 grandchildren; namely, Brett Sterba (Katie), Megan Sterba Edgehouse (Carmen), Ryan Sterba (Jillian), Mallory Sterba Kasper (Nick), Jessica McVicker Werner (Curtis), Rachel McVicker Jun (Ryan), Kevin McVicker, Kerrigan McVicker, Conner McEldowney, Morgan McEldowney, (Austin McMillan), Brooke McEldowney Burke (Justin) and Riley McEldowney; and nine great-grandchildren.

Please meet for a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Marian Chapel at Church of the Gesu, 2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, Ohio 44118, at 11 AM.

Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gesu Century Fund, c/o Church of the Gesu, 2470 Miramar Blvd, University Heights, OH 44118.

Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID. Online obituary and guestbook at www.DeJohnCares.com