Service to celebrate life of Yuma woman

His mother wouldn't have wanted people to "sit around sobbing" at her funeral, reflected Dorothy Young's son.

So instead, the family has planned a celebration of her life and invites all those whose lives Young touched to come.

The celebration and memorial service for Young, who served as downtown events planner for Heritage Festivals for seven years, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gateway Park along the Yuma riverfront. Pastor Neil Leftwich of Gila Mountain United Methodist Church will officiate.

Young died unexpectedly on Monday of complications from lung cancer. She was stricken while in Gila Bend as she was on her way to see a medical specialist in Tucson.

As the downtown events coordinator since 2001, Young oversaw such Yuma traditions as Lettuce Days, Yuma Crossing Days, the Electric Light Parade, downtown block parties, farmer's markets and special events at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

"She knew so many people," said her son, James. "She touched so many lives in the community. I invite them all to come out and celebrate."

He recalled the day his mother broke the news to him that she had cancer.

"She called and told me her water heater had burst," he said. "When I got there, she told me personally."

He's quite sure she would rather be remembered with a party. "It was a family tradition. She made fun out of the bad things that would happen."

His brother Donald, who lives in Gila Bend, recalled that his mother somehow found a way to be at the things that meant a lot to him. "Whatever the event or the baseball game I was playing in, Mom always figured out a way to be there."

Even with her failing health, she had continued that tradition with the grandchildren, he said.

Now in turn, he will provide a home for her beloved standard poodle, Fancy.

Dorothy Young, 67, is survived by her 100 year-old-mother Gertrude Lynch; sons Donald and wife Stacey of Gila Bend, and James and wife Amy of Yuma; and seven grandchildren, George, Anthony, Aby, Spencer, Connor, Makenna and Keaton.