Monica Rita Young, of Copperas Cove, Tex., died on Friday, May 8, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Monica was born on December 3, 1938, to parents Raymond and Helen O’Connor. Monica was graduated from Preston High School in Preston, Minn. After graduation, she worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Preston, Minn., prior to being transferred to Ft. Worth, Tex.
On December 10, 1960, she married Donald P. Young. She spent the next 15 years as an Army dependent, wife and mother, raising her five children and travelling the world. Monica and Don retired in Copperas Cove, Tex., in 1975.
In her free time, Monica was an avid reader. She loved to collect authors and shared her finds with others. She had one of the best home libraries around and her children and friends spent many hours looking through her collection and borrowing books. And like a library, she always knew where her books were and when they should be returned.
She was a very strong-willed woman, never wanting to depend on others, yet, she was always looking for a fantastic bargain she could pick up for a family member or others in need. She was particularly proud of going back to college when she turned 50 as all the kids were grown and on their own. After 30 years of serving in the role of mom and grandma, she began working at Central Texas College, graduated with her bachelor’s degree, and then retired in 2014.
Monica’s faith was strong and she and Don were devoted members of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove since the early 1970s.
Monica is preceded in death by her husband Donald P. Young, son Daniel P. Young, parents Raymond and Helen O’Connor, sisters Theresa Hovey Sylvanus and Mary Ruen, brothers Raymond Timothy O’Connor and Gerald O’Connor, father-in-law Fred Young, mother-in-law Katie Young, sister-in-law Laura Shaw and brother-in-law Roger Shaw.
Monica is survived by her children Kathlene Tilque (Greg), Dennis Young, James Young (Amy), and Alicia “Amy” Young (Rick Prince); grandchildren Sean Watts (Sarah), Natalie Tilque, Jason Tilque (Michelle), Lisa Struthers, Michael Young (Melissa), McKayla Young, Dylan Alpha, and Tiffany Salas, Errian Young; great-grandchildren Austin Watts, Molly Watts, Abbigail Tilque, Silas Tilque, Kayla Taylor, Kara Taylor, Gracie Taylor, and Mason Young; her siblings Jerome O’Connor (Sharyol), Joseph O’Connor (Lydia), Fred O’Connor (Linda), Charles O’Connor (Joan), Richard O’Connor (Teresa), Susan O’Connor Meyer (Gerald), Elizabeth “Annie” Swanson (Baird); sister-in-law Connie O’Connor, brother-in-law Donny Ruen, sister-in-law Della Gronnel (Warren) and brother-in-law Fred Young (Conchita).
A visitation was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Sympathy cards may be mailed to 2642 Big Divide, Copperas Cove, Tex. 76522.