Barbara A. Young entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 5, 2020. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter Young, Jr., and her fiancé, Vincent Lau Pina. Barbara was born in Hartford, Connecticut on April 4, 1936 to LeRoy W. Anderson, Sr., and Bessie Lillian Smith Anderson.
Barbara graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1954 and received her B.S. degree from Southern Connecticut State College in 1958. She received her Master of Library Science from Southern Connecticut State College. Barbara was a teacher/librarian/media specialist at Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1958 to 1998. She loved teaching, loved her students, and loved finding answers for all who sought her assistance.
In her retirement, she became an active member of the Jewish Community Center of New Haven, working out five days a week and socializing with friends. She also maintained her friendship with many of her professional colleagues, who were very dear to her and cherished friends, and who remained steadfast in their support of her and now, her family. James Mackey was on the receiving end of her daily morning e-mails and found great humor in her e-mail handle. Dr. Susan Spivack, a dear friend as well, was renamed Sioux by Barbara to confirm her entrance into the family tribe.
Barbara was extremely proud of her native American heritage, tracing the family genealogy back to the early 1700’s, a process she undertook over a forty-year period, and which documented the oral history of the tribal origins of her family. She was a fierce protector of that heritage to prevent the loss of a culture that belonged so uniquely to her family and preserved the oral and written history that might otherwise have been lost through forced assimilation. She recounted the stories of family members being born and living on reservations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, the mid-West, and straddling the United States and Canadian borders, so that proud and rich heritage could be passed down for generations. And she rejected the notion that any man’s laws could determine heritage, that it was a birth right from God. She completed the final update of the family history just six months before her passing, including some of the native American language she learned as a child from her grandmother who was born on a reservation. Her admonition was that this history be maintained for and by her family.
Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her loving daughter and best friend Rolan Joni Young (Eric Smith) of Woodbridge, Connecticut, sister Lorraine Scott Moore of North Haven, Connecticut, brother Charles F. Anderson (Susan) of Framingham, Massachusetts, and sister-in-law Ethel Anderson of West Haven, Connecticut, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who loved her dearly.
She was predeceased by her brother LeRoy W. Anderson, Jr., and sisters Alberta E. Smith and Diane Anderson Bishop.
She will be sorely missed. She was a force of nature with flashing green eyes she hid from the world with her infamous sunglasses, which she wore all the time. She will be greatly missed by all, but most especially by her daughter.
“Do not stand by my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.”
Visitation will be held Friday, July 10, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight Street, New Haven. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the visitation will be on a rotating basis and a limited number of people will be allowed entrance into the building each time. A Graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Hamden Plains Cemetery, 246 Circular Ave., Hamden.
Fond memories, of a long friendship.
May the good Lord hold her in his
arms.
Dear Rolan,
Our prayers are with you during this extremely difficult time.
Please know that our prayers and love are with you. We are unable to attend your Mom’s services but will be with you in spirit. Love , the Teixeira/Pina family.
May you rest in peace Mrs Barbara. I was fortunate & blessed to get to be your caregiver. You are the reason I loved my job. Your passing hurts my heart. I’m glad I was a part of your life.
I remember her (as Ms. Douglas) from WHHS (62-66). Aside from marveling at her beauty, she was truly admired & highly respected for sharing & teaching us our history (in private settings) & her no-nonsense personality at a time when our history books didn’t. Forever grateful for her presence in my life. May she Rest in Power. ❤
Mrs. Young was definitely a force to be reckon with. She saw potential in me before I could. Thanks to her guidance I grew in more ways that I can ever explain. I will always remember her ❤.
1995
Luz Torres
Mrs. Young (mom) known to her closest students that she took under her winds to guide and provide as much knowledge as she could to make the success in their life’s regardless of the route we took.
May she Rest In Peace.
Rolan my deepest condolences to you thank you for sharing you mom with so many of us.
Myriam Rodriguez
1978
Mrs. Young
You were a Blessing to all the young Harding students with your beautiful smile and guidance. You told me tin 1975 to apply for the Upward bound program at Fairfield University and that changed my life forever.
My prayers go out to your family and loved ones!
Love you always and Thank you !