Mary Ann Young

On January 7, 2018, Mary Ann Willett Young, age 61, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, peacefully left this world, joining the love of her life, her late husband, Michael J. Young, M.D. She fought a courageous battle with cancer, beating out odds and never losing her sense of humor along the way. Mary Ann was born on August 27, 1956 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was the first of five siblings born to the late Thomas O. Willett and Donna O'Brien Willett. The family moved to multiple states throughout her childhood, as her father, a civil engineer, helped design and oversee the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System. She graduated the Class of 1974 from Northeast High School, North Little Rock and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas in 1979. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi where she met her future husband, Mike Young, at a Phi Delta Theta fraternity function 41 years ago. In 1982, she moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she was instrumental in helping to start a local business magazine, The Baton Rouge Business Report, which is still publishing today. Recently celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary, Mike and Mary Ann were married June 22, 1985 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She then joined Mike in San Antonio, where she supported her husband by working for the Texas Business Review while he attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center. In 1988, while Mike was in residency, they welcomed twin girls, Merritt and Kate, to their family. The birth of their daughter, Jordan, was celebrated in 1991. Mary Ann chose to leave her successful career to raise her three girls, lovingly devoting her time to her husband and family as they made their home in Hot Springs. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Michael J. Young, M.D. of Hot Springs, Arkansas; father, Thomas O. Willett of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandparents, William and Mildred Phelps Willett of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Frank and Helen Walz O'Brien of Lake City, Iowa. She is survived by daughters, Merritt Young (Cliff Biedenharn) and her beloved grandson, Baer Biedenharn, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Kate Young Keller (Carl) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Jordan Young of Santa Barbara, California. She also is survived by her mother, Donna Willett of Scottsdale, Arizona; her sisters, Susan Mendenhall (Michael) of Plano, Texas; Trina Goehring (Todd) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Lisa Denny (Bob) of Scottsdale, Arizona; and brother, Joseph Willett (Amber) of San Ramon, California. She is survived by 10 nieces and nephews. A rosary will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 100 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas. A funeral mass will be held at Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10 a.m. Family visitation will follow the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her honor to Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs, Ark. 71913. We will forever mourn our loss, but there is peace and comfort knowing that Mary Ann and Mike have entered into eternal life together. We will miss her sparkling personality and keen wit. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.