1934 – 2015

WILTON — Verna McDonald Young, 81, born March 3, 1934, left this earth on Sunday, May 3, to reunite with her husband, Donald E. Young, hoping he hasn’t met up with country western singer Connie Smith in the past 27 years. (That’s the only woman he said he would ever leave her for!)

Verna grew up in Riley and was the youngest and last surviving member of her family of eight siblings — Edwin, Zelma, Frank, Dorothy, Earl, Arthur, Eugene and Maurice McDonald. Her parents were Jessie Winslow and Randall McDonald.

Verna bragged about graduating in the top three of her middle school class, which consisted of three students. Her first C was received in driver’s education and foretold her driving skills for the rest of her life. She was forever almost putting her “granddog” through the windshield and backing into the house.

Verna worked at Forster Manufacturing for more than 35 years and contributed at least 100 million clothespins to the world. After retirement from Forster, she would walk down to the end of her driveway and cross the Wilton children to and from school every day — a long commute, but well worth the effort! She will be remembered by students and area dentists for the Halloween candy she gave out. She loved to put on her country music and bebop in the pool for hours each day. She was a voracious reader, loved her daughter’s flower gardens and loved keeping up with all the local gossip.

Verna is survived by her daughter, Dawn Young of Wilton; three stepdaughters, Eileen Young, Kathleen Harrigan and Dorothy Young; her best friend and partner in crime, Edie Kennedy of Wilton; and her favorites of all, granddogs, Gracie and Izzy. There are so many nieces and nephews that we would need a scorecard to list them all.

The family would like to thank all the hospice workers who provided care during her illness. Special thanks go out to her nurse, Patty Parker, who provided comfort and support to the whole family.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.