Donna Mae Young, nee Long, age 75, born March 31, 1928 in Chicago, IL and passed into eternal life after a courageous battle with cancer on Dec. 3, 2003 surrounded by her loving family. Donna had a great love for music. From a very young age she shared her talent for singing. At the age of nine, she sang a solo on the Major Bowes Radio Show. A member of both school and church choirs through the years, one of her most memorable highlights was performing for the World War II VA Hospitals in the Chicago area. At age 16 she went to work part-time for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company as an information operator. After graduation from Mercy High School, she was promoted to supervisor at age 18, the youngest in their history at that time, she also held the title of ‘weather girl’. Both were a reflection of her obvious work ethic and talented vocal ability. Donna married Louis David Long Jr. at age 21 and spent the next 20 years as a homemaker and mother to their six children. After her husband’s death in 1970, she pursued a successful career in real estate, a recipient of many awards and a member of the Illinois Realtors Association. During this period of her life she met and married Theodore A. Young. Together with their blended family they resided in the Chicago area until retirement in 1985 where they eventually settled in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Due to health reasons, in 1999, Donna relocated to Sacramento, CA to be closer to her family. She resided at St. Francis Manor until two months prior to her death. Throughout her life she befriended many and most recently was a member of the Sacramento Chapter of the Red Hat Society. Donna’s love of life was contagious. Her fun loving spirit, sense of humor, wit, generous nature and thoughtfulness will be missed by all whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl E. Smith and Margaret Smith, nee Blessinger; her first husband, Louis David Long Jr.; her daughter, Margaret Ellen Long; and her second husband, Theodore A. Young. The loving mother of daughter, Lynda Casey and husband, James of Poquoson, VA; sons, Steven Long and wife Nora, William Long and James Long, all of Rancho Murieta, CA and daughter, Mary Elizabeth Long of Treasure Island, FL; stepsons, Bradley Young and wife Tara and Stewart Young, all of Lake Geneva, WI; sister, Caryl Neher and husband, Henry of Wheaton, IL; and brother, Clifford Smith and wife Kay of Monroe, NC. The cherished grandmother of Gregory, Julie, Michael and Colleen Casey of Poquoson, VA, Nicholas Long of Rancho Murieta, CA and Sara Young of Naperville, IL; and great-grandmother of Makinnley and Nathan Casey of Poquoson, VA. She is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. Also survived by John and Gladys Long and family of Dolton, IL, and Barbara Young of TX, Susan Young of Naperville, IL and Julie Long of Las Vegas, NV. Donna was a member of St. Felicitas and Infant Jesus of Prague Churches in Illinois. Her family was her pride and joy. Mom, you will be forever our friend, mentor our family foundation. Forever loved and respected. We love you Mom, you were the best. In lieu of flowers, Donna requested donations be made to either the American Cancer Society or Sutter Hospice, 2800 L St., Ste. 400, Sacramento, CA 95816. Our heartfelt thanks to Sutter VNA and Hospice for their compassionate and loving services. Services will be held on Monday, Dec. 8 in Sacramento, CA, at W.F. Gormley & Sons Mortuary, 916-443-6513.
