Inez "Gigi" Carol (Willer) Young

Inez Carol Young, known as “Gigi,” by many, age 97, of Woodstock, previously Holiday Hills, IL, passed away on March 3, 2024, in Ringwood, IL surrounded by loving family members. 

She was born at home on April 17, 1926, to Edward & Olga Willer, in Chicago, Illinois.  She had one older sister and her best friend Jean Savarese. 

She grew up in Berwyn Illinois and graduated from Morton High School.  She was the captain of the cheerleading squad where she met the love of her life Clarence M. Young, the captain of the football team and started the greatest love story known to all.  They were married on June 9,1945 at the ages of 19 and 20 years old at Christ Lutheran Church in Oak Park surrounded by friends and family. 

Inez was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She loved traveling with her three daughters and exploring the world with them!  When she was not traveling, she attended all her grandchildren and great grandchildren's extra-curricular activities whether it was soccer, baseball, wrestling, football, band concerts, graduations, parties of all sorts, but you could always find her in the stands or the crowd at every event! 

She was known for lighting up any room she entered and living life to the fullest.  Her favorite moto was “If someone asks you “do you want to” you say yes before they finish their sentence.”  Inez truly lived by that moto!

In addition to her dedication to her family, Inez had a fulfilling career as a Secretary at Johnsburg High School and McHenry High School, where she made lasting impressions on countless students during her time there. 

She had a passion for gardening, spending time with her family, running spouse support groups for Alzheimer's, and volunteering in various organizations such as Gaver's Community Cancer Foundation.  Inez was also involved in the Auxiliary club in McHenry at the VFW and was judge of elections for the township of NUNDA.

Inez is survived by her daughters Gail (Leon) Dornstreich, April(Tom) Dougherty, Wendy (Brian) Miller, grandchildren Aaron (Rachel) Dornstreich, Ches (Kelly) Dougherty, Bret (Melanie) Dougherty, Ryan Miller (Amy Liggett), Katy (Seth) Dishno, her great-grandchildren, Dylan Dornstreich,  Payton, Marren & Teagan Dougherty,  Eris & Koen Dougherty, Conner Liggett, Ben & Jack Miller and  Asher & Emmersyn Dishno, many nieces and nephews including a special “fourth daughter” Deborah Mayers (Savarese) and many great nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Clarence Young, sister Jeanne Savarese, Father & Mother Ed & Olga Willer, Father & Mother-in-law Chester & Dora Young, brothers-in-law Chet (Doris) Young, Art (Elaine) Young, Pete (Dot) Young, and sister-in-law Shirley (Les) Snyder.

Services in honor of Inez will be held at Schneider Leucht Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home 1211 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock, Illinois on Tuesday, March 12th from 11 AM – 2PM.  Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Gaver’s Community Cancer Foundation

Inez will be dearly missed by all who knew her for her warmth, generosity, and zest for life.  We love you more! 

The burial will be private for immediate family only, but there will be a celebration of life held for Inez at a later date at Tom & April’s home.  Please watch Facebook and the Northwest Herald for the reposting of her obituary for the date and time of the celebration of her beautiful life.  

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