Mary Young

Mary Magdalene Haythe Young, 91, formerly of Danville, Virginia, died on Friday, June 7, 2013, in Winchester, Virginia. Magdalene was born on April 16, 1922, in Danville, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Martin Lee Haythe and Lottie Haley Haythe. On May 1, 1946, Magdalene began her career as Corporate Secretary-Treasurer of F. W. Townes and Son Funeral Home, currently Townes Funeral Home. She remained there until her relocation to Winchester, Virginia in December 2007. Over her sixty-one years of service at Townes Funeral Home she became its matriarch by sharing her love and devotion with generations of employees and families. She was active in numerous civic groups. When president of the GLH Johnson PTA, she was awarded a Honorary Life Membership in the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers in recognition of noteworthy loyalty and high achievement in promoting the welfare of children and youth. She was a member of the former Luncheon Business and Professional Women's Club and was named its 1972-1973, Woman of the Year. The Luncheon Club's 1982-1983 Pictorial History Book was dedicated in her honor. Mrs. Young was a lifelong member of Sledd Memorial Methodist Church, now St. Luke's United Methodist Church. She served as the church treasurer and on the finance committee, taught Sunday School, and was a life member of the Woman's Society of Christian Service and the United Methodist Women. Magdalene also served on numerous committees among them the Administrative Council and Circle #4. She was a member of the Emanuel Sunday School Class and the ECHOS. On February 28, 1946, she married Lawrence Kemp Young, who preceded her in death on September 5, 2006. Magdalene is survived by her daughter, Kathy Young Wetsel, and her husband John Earl Wetsel, Jr. of Winchester, Virginia; two granddaughters, Haley McLaurine Wetsel of Arlington, Virginia and Whitney Haythe Wetsel Pinna, and her husband James Michael Pinna of Richmond, Virginia; and a great grandson, William Lawrence Pinna also of Richmond. Two sisters, Alberta Haythe McCarthy and Frances Haythe Hardy preceded her in death. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ron Mateer officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends at St. Luke's United Methodist Church from 12:00 to 1:00 o'clock p.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3090 North Main Street, Danville, Virginia, 24540 or First Presbyterian Church Building Fund 116 S. Loudoun Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.