Carol L. Young, 65

Carol Lynn (French) Young, loving wife, mother and grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at the age of 65, at her home in Silverton, CO. Carol was born on February 20, 1956 in Great Barrington, MA to William and Marjorie (Licari) French, their youngest of four children. She proudly raised her daughter Myste (born 1981) and son Johnny (born 1985) as a devoted and generous single mother. In 2008, Carol married Roger Young, who she met in Silverton. Her grandson John was born in 2013 and she was very involved in his life and loved being a grandmother.

Carol graduated from Escondido High School and she received her Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Development from Palomar College. Carol was an Early Childhood Specialist, running a daycare center in Escondido, CA for over 20 years before she moved to Silverton in 2003.

Carol was a year-round resident of Silverton from 2003 to 2008 and a summertime resident from 2008 until present. She was well-loved by the Silverton community. At the time of her passing, she worked for Fetch’s Mining & Mercantile and Handlebars Restaurant & Saloon. Previously she had worked for the Silverton Preschool, Silverton After School Program, the Brown Bear Café, the Chattanooga Café, and the Blair Street Emporium.

Carol was an incredibly talented writer. She self-published a book of poetry called Memories, Dreams and Reflections as well as a children’s book called Chloe Learns to Surf, based on the beaches of San Diego which held a special place in her heart. She taught her own children to surf in Oceanside, Coronado, La Jolla and Encinitas, CA.

After two years on dialysis, in 2016, Carol received a kidney transplant, generously donated by her loving husband Roger. In 2018 Carol and Roger sold their possessions and moved full-time into an RV. For the past three years they traveled the country spending part of their year with each of Carol’s children and grandchild.

Carol was preceded in death by her father William French, her mother Marjorie Licari French Brown, her stepfather Finis Brown, her brother William “Billy” French, her cat companion of 17 years Zilla, and her favorite dog Chloe.

She is survived by her husband Roger Young, her children Myste and Philip French and Johnny and Ryan Shirk, her grandson John Edison Shirk V, her siblings Mary Ann and Allen Wood and Robert “Bobby” French, several cousins, nieces, nephews and her three cats Feliz, Juan and Diego. Carol will always be “Forever Young” to those who knew and loved her.

A community celebration of Carol’s life will be held in Silverton in September 2021, followed by a private scattering of ashes for family at the Silverton Cemetery. Cards and donations can be sent to PO Box 983, Silverton, CO 81433.