Georgia Mae Young

Georgia Mae Young died peacefully on May 3, 2024 at Traverse Manor, Traverse City, Michigan. As Georgia took her last breath, a red cardinal perched on her feeder and a white butterfly danced past her window. She is survived by her three daughters Cindy (Rick) Sack, Debbie (John) Barnoski, Liz (Scott) Warren, and her son Tim (Tia Reese) Young. She had been blessed with ten grandchildren and (15) great grandchildren. Georgia was 96 years young.

Georgia was born on May 12th, 1927 to Julia Mae Brown Tandy and Charles Allen Tandy in Brighton, Michigan. She grew up setting a loving example for two younger brothers, Chuck and Gail, and her younger sister Alice. She had fond memories of roller skating and biking around Martin, of her friendly neighbors and of the abundant freedom and security she felt living in town. After graduating from Martin High School, Georgia worked in the post office and there tolerated a persistent suitor and the future love of her life, LeRoy Greeley Young, youngest son of Hazel and Archie Young. She at first thought "Babe" frequented her home merely to play cards with her sister Alice. Au contraire, they married on May 12th,1948 at the bride's home on her 21st birthday. They were married for 68 years.

Georgia and Babe loved gardening, taking family trips, dancing, and for decades they were members of the United Methodist Church (and later the Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City). They hated leaving their beloved community, but the opportunity to live closer to their grandchildren nudged them to move to their Duck Lake cottage near Traverse City in 1996.

All her life Georgia gave of herself to her children with patience, a wry sense of humor and wisdom. She taught them that all people should be treated with dignity regardless the clothes they wear, or the culture from which they were born. She had a beautiful singing voice. She loved to read and was the town librarian for many years; she enjoyed drawing faces and trees, coloring, knitting, playing cards and fishing with LeRoy. We also recall Georgia's annual making of angels well into her 90s - giggling on her back while waving her arms in a fresh powder of northern Michigan snow. She collected shells and pebbles from beaches as near as Lake Michigan, and as far away as the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (as far away as Africa). Georgia loved to travel to meet people on her journeys, to learn their stories. She treated others with kindness, and she laughed at life's many absurdities. Georgia deeply appreciated the smaller things in life: sunsets, a child's laughter, and a butterfly swooping beyond her window view. She rejoiced in a bouquet of flowers or a dark brewed coffee - perhaps most significantly, Georgia Mae Tandy Young showed her family and friends how to rejoice in this precious moment, and that soon enough we will be together again.

Georgia's life will be celebrated later this summer with her family. She and Babe will be resting in peace at the Martin cemetery south of town.

The family would like to thank those at Traverse Manor and Hospice of Michigan who cared for her with dignity and grace throughout her stay.

Gifts may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.

Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services

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