Shelley Young

6/5/1959 - 7/26/2025

Groton Long Point - Shelley Young, age 66, passed away peacefully July 26, 2025 in Carrollton, (Dallas) Texas, after a five-year battle with logopenic varient primary progressive aphasia.

Born June 5, 1959, in New York City to Jacqueline and Paul Dunbar, Shelley spent her childhood moving frequently as her father's career took the family from Oradell, N.J.; to Toronto, Canada; Montreal, Canada; St. Louis, Mo.; and finally, Atlanta, Ga. She graduated from Parkway West High School in St. Louis and earned her degree from Regis University (Denver), Class of 1981.

In her youth, Shelley was an athlete, participating in figure skating, skiing, swimming, paddle boarding, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and running - always with a big smile and a positive attitude.

In 1982, Shelley met the love of her life, Mark Young, in Denver, Colo. They married in Atlanta and spent 42 wonderful years together. They built a life full of adventure, living in Aurora, Colo., Brentwood, Calif. (where they welcomed their son, Matthew), before relocating to Long Island, N.Y.; Lancaster, Pa.; Mendham, N.J.; Burlington, Mass., and finally The Colony (Dallas), Texas.

Shelley enjoyed exploring new places and settling into new communities, a skill she embraced from her childhood moves. Yet through all the relocations, her heart remained at Groton Long Point, where the family spent many happy summers and purchased a home in 2010 - a place she truly called home.

Throughout her life, Shelley enjoyed a variety of careers, working as an aerobics instructor at the Santa Monica Athletic Club to volunteering at her son's high school bookstore, working at the YMCA in Mystic, and ultimately dedicating herself to raising her family and caring for their home.

Shelley loved the camaraderie of golf at Stonington Country Club in Connecticut and The Lakes at Castle Hills in Texas, the lively gatherings at Groton Long Point Yacht Club and Ram Island Yacht Club, and cruising the waters of Long Island Sound, soaking in the beauty of her beloved summers there.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years, Mark Young; her son Matthew Young (married to Courtney) and grandchildren Caroline and Miles Young; brothers, Matthew Dunbar (Jeannie) and Mark Dunbar (Tanya); and sisters-in-law, Cynthia Young and Pamela Low (William). She was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Christine Dunbar.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 32 East Main Street, in Mystic. Following her Mass, she will be buried at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Road, Mystic, followed by a reception at Stonington Country Club. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Sonoma House Assisted Living Alzheimer's Care that cared for her during her illness: 2048 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75007. The Mystic Funeral Home is assisting with her arrangements.