Nancy (Hall) Young

Biography
STERLING - Nancy Gail Young (aka McLaughlin, nee Hall), 59, died November 28th, in Sterling.

Certified Master Gardener, horticulturalist, quilter, historical preservationist, wife and mom extraordinaire she is survived by husband, James Young from Sterling; daughter, Molly McLaughlin from Kansas City, Missouri; son, Christopher McLaughlin from Holden; sister, Susan Place from Woodbury, Minnesota; mother, Marilyn Williamson from Winchester; aunt, Priscilla Hall from Watertown; niece’s Emily Weir from Cottage Grove, Minnesota and Sarah Langdon from Lino Lakes, Minnesota; four grandnephews and former spouse Gary McLaughlin from Holden.

Nance made and held many friends in her varied careers. Raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, and Owls Head, Maine, she graduated Lexington High School. She worked as dental assistant in Concord. Nance married Gary McLaughlin and raised her family in Holden for 27 years. She was an avid gardener with deep respect for our environment, and a soft spot for cats, chickens, and dragonflies.

She graduated Framingham State College with Bachelors in Liberal Arts, focused in American history and the civil war era. Later, in one favorite spot, she said ‘Yes!’ to Jim Young atop Tower Hill Botanic Garden, where she previously was events manager. She then moved to California, where she served as historical preservationist at Forest Home Farm for the city of San Ramon, and managed their Saturday farmers markets for 3 seasons. She certified as Master Gardener via UC Berkeley and UMass extensions. Returning to MA in 2011, she worked as perennial gardener at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland. Her family, her two children, and her friends were the center of her world. She shared love by making us quilts, some aflutter with dragonflies…

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Sterling Animal Shelter, 17 Laurelwood Rd, Sterling, MA, 01564, (978) 422-8585.