Louisa Grace Young

Louisa Grace Young died Sunday, March 14, 2021 at her home in West Chester, Pennsylvania after a lengthy illness. She was 91. Born on July 27, 1929, in Deer Creek, Pennsylvania to Reverend Leroy and Marie Grace, she developed a strong love of music from both of her parents and was known for her beautiful soprano voice, winning many awards in high school and college.

Louisa grew up in Upper Darby, PA, and attended Upper Darby High School. After high school, she attended West Chester Teacher’s College studying music. She transferred to Eastern Baptist College and graduated with a degree in music. She also met her future husband, The Reverend Dr. Robert D. Young who was studying to become a minister at Eastern Baptist Seminary.

They married June 28, 1952 with her father officiating at her parent’s church in Beverly Hills, Upper Darby. Her early married years were busy making a home and raising a family. She was also kept very busy helping with her husband’s ministry at Woodland Avenue United Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. Her ministry there was the music of the church and she led a very beloved and large junior choir. She also sang with the church choir, often as soloist, and for numerous weddings, funerals and special events.

She and her husband moved the family to West Chester, PA, in April of 1966 when he was called to be the senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was very active in the church and community, leading the United Presbyterian Women’s Group of the church, a popular bible study, mission trips and women’s retreats and hosting some events at her home. She was also asked to direct the Chester County Hospital Women’s Chorus which she happily did for many years. When she wasn’t busy with church and family, she loved singing with the 49er Chorus, participating as soloist, chorus member, choreographer, costume designer and script writer. She directed music for some Barley Sheaf productions and various other local music and theater groups. In later years, she directed The NewTones, a female singing group that performed programs for many retirement homes and local clubs.

A gifted teacher, Louisa taught a steady stream of piano and voice students in her home beginning with her own children and grandchildren as well as local children and adults. Her wonderful legacy was knowing that two of her three children became professional musicians as well as five of her seven grandchildren, performing and teaching locally and nationally on stage with world-renowned groups.

Besides her music she was proficient in all types of art and handwork including knitting, crocheting, crewel, embroidery, needlepoint, sewing and costume design. Sewing clothes for her family was also a great joy for her. In later years she returned to her love of watercolor and photography specializing in botanical art and landscapes. She loved painting scenes from trips she took with her husband all over the world and from regular summers spent at Promised Land State Park where she also loved hiking and boating.

She was the unofficial family historian tracing her roots back many generations to Germany and Bavaria. Distant family members would also request information about their individual families because her research was so extensive. She was proficient in German and was able to correspond with family in Germany. Westminster also had a long ministry helping a church in Weimar which she did much to promote. She and her husband took in a Rotary exchange student from Germany, Marcus Bellenberg, and their influence on his life and love for each other remains to this day.

Louisa is survived by her husband, The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Young, her sister Jeanne Grace, her three children and their spouses, Linda Young Lorgus and husband Ron Bellamy, the Reverend David E. Young and wife the Reverend Dr. Nancy Young, Carol Young Fisher and husband M. Lee Fisher, seven grandchildren, Geoffrey Lorgus, Rosalyn Lorgus Davis, Adam Young, Micah Young, Molly Young, Ashley Fisher Vogel and Brittany Fisher Crawford and their spouses, and five great grandchildren, Claire Lorgus, Arden and Juniper Young, and Reese and Brooks Vogel. She will be dearly missed by her extended family who owe so much to her for the love, care, teaching, insight and strength she shared with all but especially her musical legacy.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation on May 20, 2021 from 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church 10 Pleasant Grove Rd. West Chester, PA 19382, followed by a Service of Witness to the Resurrection at 1pm with live streaming available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSmetmAnUU

Interment will be in Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 E. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester, PA  19382.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-1181; www. DellaFH.com