Linda R. Young

Linda R. Young, passed on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the age of 69 from complications during heart surgery. She was born in Bethlehem on May 22, 1952; the daughter of the late Leo F. and Rose S. (DiFulvio) Barth. Linda was preceded in death by her brother Leo Barth and, most recently, her husband of 45 years-- her “sweetie”-- Raymond T. Young, Jr.

Lindas innate passion for caring for others coupled with her commitment to service inspired her to enroll in St. Lukes School of Nursing in 1970 and led to a 39-year career with the network. After receiving her diploma, she began working as a floor nurse at St. Lukes Hospital. As the years passed, her career pivoted towards nursing administration and she earned Masters Degrees from Temple University and the University of Scranton. She transitioned from Director of Nursing to Vice President of Nursing in 1990 and helped chart the course to make St. Lukes University Health Network what it is today. Some of her contributions include: opening the Priscilla Payne Hurd Wing and Education Center, building partnerships with Moravian College to implement the first BS in Nursing program associated with a hospital, assisting in conducting the first community health needs assessment; creating the Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community with Dr. Bonnie Coyle; and introducing the first Mobile Health Van (HealthStar) to provide care and screenings at local elementary schools--just to name a few. After 27 years at the main SLUHN campus, she served an additional 12 years at the Quakertown campus--continuing to advocate for best practices in nursing education and patient care. Upon retirement in 2012, she established The Linda R. Young Nursing Education Endowment Fund for Quakertown Hospital for nurses ongoing professional development.

After retirement, she devoted the bulk of her energy and talents to Rotary International. She truly embodied the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self” as she traveled on missions to several developing countries with Rotaplast International assisting children and families as they underwent cleft palate surgeries. In Rotary District 7430, she served as District Governor, multi-year Club President, Rotary Leadership International Chair, and Welcome to Rotary Chair. She worked tirelessly to make this world a better place through service and leadership.

Linda was a life-long parishioner of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, cantor, choir member, lector, and retreat team member.

Linda will be dearly missed by her daughters, Emily Aragona-Young and wife, Jeralyn Aragona-Young of Blakeslee, and Ellen Young of Bethlehem; the loves of her life, grand twins, Mya and Leo; and her Australian Shepherd, Rosie.

To know Linda was to love her. She was brilliant, humble, honest, generous, hilarious, and brightened any space she entered. In her spare time, Linda enjoyed praying, traveling, laughing with her friends and cousins, and enjoying cocktails with her pals at Prime Steak House. She loved spending Sundays with Ellen drinking fine wines and visiting the Poconos with Emily and Jer to rest and play with her grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 19, 2021 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a Mass of Christian Burial to immediately follow. Burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made payable to Emily Aragona-Young and mailed to P.O. Box 315, Blakeslee, PA 18610, to be applied towards an educational fund for Mya and Leo.

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Visitation
Monday, July 19, 2021
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church
1861 Catasauqua Rd.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US

Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, July 19, 2021
11:00 AM
Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church
1861 Catasauqua Rd.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531