Ellarene Young Obituary

Ellarene June Young
July 25, 1928 - March 30, 2025
Ellarene June (Langdon) Young was born on July 25, 1928, in Petaluma, California, to Russell M. Langdon and Rose Anne (Tieman) Langdon. She passed away peacefully at home in Novato, California, surrounded by family.
Ellarene is survived by her son, Charles Young (Sharon), and her daughters, Gail Riggs (Priscilla Campbell) and Clarice Clark, as well as twelve grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Charles Bennett Young (Ben), her sister, Gloria Wells, and her parents preceded her in death.
Ellarene's younger years were spent in Redwood City, California, with summers at her grandmother's house in Petaluma. Her family later returned to Petaluma, where she spent her teenage years attending Petaluma Jr. High and graduated from Petaluma High School in 1946. Her high school years were filled with friends, work, and Rainbow Girls (Worthy Advisor), as well as jobs at the California Theatre as an usherette and at Carithers Department Store of Petaluma.
Her ambition after high school was to become an elementary school teacher. Her plans changed when Ben returned from the Navy, and the young couple eloped to Reno, Nevada, to get married and start a family. In 1951, the Young family moved into their new home on Phillips Avenue in Petaluma. Ellarene and Ben became members of the First Baptist Church of Petaluma, where Ellarene taught Sunday School.
In 1962, the family moved to Novato, California, to be closer to their business, Novato Interiors, which they operated for 15 years. Ellarene worked as the seamstress making draperies, while Ben served as the salesman and installer. A unique opportunity came their way in 1969 when they purchased the local hardware store, Pini Hardware. They sold Novato Interiors, and Ellarene gave up sewing to become the manager of the gifts and housewares department, while also helping with bookkeeping and the Postal Annex.
Ellarene and Ben retired in 1983 and began a new lifestyle, full-time RVing. Their travels took them all over the country, even as far as Newfoundland, Canada. Ellarene loved history! She often said there wasn't a historical marker or museum she wouldn't stop at, reading every description of every item. These were some of the happiest days of her life.
Retiring a second time, they returned to their home in Novato, where she was surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed her time with her children, grandchildren, and especially her great-grandchildren. She taught by example: faith, love, patience, kindness, and a bit of humor mixed in. For all who knew her, she will be dearly missed.
Our family would like to thank the wonderful care given by everyone at Hospice. A special thank you to the staff of Valley Memorial Park of Novato and to Pastor Reid Hankins of Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Petaluma. There will be a private family service per Ellarene's request.
If you desire, donations may be made in Ellarene's name to your favorite charity.