Margaret J. Young

Margaret Jean Young (née Paulsen), 88, passed away on July 9, 2018 at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Illinois, after her body gave out from bravely battling pancreatic cancer for the past six months. 

Margaret was a bright, fiery spark in the lives of her family and friends. She is survived by her son, William Young, his wife Stephanie, of Palatine, Illinois; three grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca, and Jonathan Young; her siblings Dorothy, Robert, Harold, and Richard; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and many friends. She was married to her husband of 48 years, Travis Young, who preceded her in death. 

Fiercely loyal to the city of Waukegan and often an orchestrator of social happenings, Margaret was never far from those she loved and those places that she dearly cherished. 

Margaret was born in Manistique, Michigan in 1929, grew up in the town of Brimley, and later her family moved to Illinois. She graduated proudly from Zion-Benton High school, and this past year hosted their 47th high school reunion in her home. 

Never one to stay still, Margaret took aviation lessons while in high school, owned a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and later won a joint motorcycle race in 1949 - a trophy she has to this day. 

While working full-time, Margaret received her Associate’s degree from the College of Lake County, her Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University (Class of 1979), and her MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, in Lake Forest, Illinois. She founded the Waukegan Women’s City Club, and served as President and was an active member of the Lake County chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). She was on the board for the YWCA, and organized and participated in the XYZingers group. Additionally, Margaret served on the Salvation Army board.   

She was an active member of the Merry Widows Club, book clubs, and met with her fellow Waukegan City Hall Retirees at luncheons. Margaret served the city of Waukegan for over 20 years initially as the Deputy Clerk and then later as Waukegan’s City Collector during Mayor Durkin’s administration.   

For many years she attended Calvary Temple Church, and later St. John’s United Church of Christ in Waukegan. She was keen to study her ancestry, and traced her roots all the way back to Cleopatra - or so she said. She traveled extensively internationally with friends and family.

She loved life and was fiercely loyal to family and friends. She will be missed.  

Memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army in honor of Margaret Young. Online donations at secure20.salvationarmy.com. Visitation is Saturday, July 14th from 12:30pm until 3:00pm at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Funeral services are 3:00pm at the church. Refreshments at 4pm at the church. Burial at 6:00pm at Warren Cemetery, Gurnee; all are welcome to attend. Arrangements entrusted to SAMBRANO FUNERAL & CREMATION, 4606 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. You may leave online condolences at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; for information, please call 847-571-7719.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret J. Young, please visit our floral store.