December 19, 1988 - August 19, 2010

He has left his indelible, inimitable mark on this world

On August 19th, Christopher Todd Young, fisherman, gamer, pool shark, chess player, and practical joker, did not succumb to cancer. He vanquished the disease years ago by stubbornly and cheerfully staying alive against all odds . Blessed with the most loving, devoted, and energetic family imaginable, he refused to leave them. His mom Renée, his dad Joe, and his big sisters Sarah and Erica simply made life too much fun, creating adventures that challenged him, planning trips that delighted him, and celebrating family milestones that required his indispensible presence. They fueled his imagination, and he particularly embraced the idea of being a medieval knight riding a friendly dragon and saving people who needed him. Recently, in a dreamlike state, he stretched out his arms and clearly stated, “Thank you, your majesty!”

Although he battled cancer from the age of five and bravely endured its ruthless effects on his body, he never allowed the disease to deflate his buoyant spirit, cramp his unique style, or define who he was: He met the imposter head-on with a winning combination of forbearance, grace, and humor. A charismatic, impeccably-mannered gentleman who loved everyone, Chris had the unconscious power to draw people to him and rally an entire community. Everyone loved Chris back.

Chris liked to be in the middle of the action. An accomplished but humble fisherman who found peace in nature and enjoyed a special connection with animals, he’d catch the first and biggest fish on annual expeditions with his dad, uncles, and cousins. Closer to home, he enjoyed being out on the town and frequenting his favorite haunts, the Roosevelt Alehouse, the Spaghetti House in Lake City, and the neighborhood Seven-11, whose Slurpees kept his thirst well-quenched. Above all, Chris loved to laugh. Famous for his jokes--spontaneous, clever, sharp-witted, hilarious jokes--he never passed up the opportunity to make other people laugh, even as they cried at his deathbed. Christopher Young has left his indelible, inimitable mark on this world. We shall not see his like again.

Chris is survived by his parents, Renée and Joe Young, his sisters Sarah and Erica Young, and a huge, loving family of grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Saturday August 21, 2010 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 814 Northeast 85th Street. Celebration of this beautiful boy’s life following in Victoria Hall. Interment at Holyrood Cemetery.

DONATIONS

Donations may be made to the Pediatrics Program of Providence Hospice of Seattle. Checks payable to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation and mailed to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation 425 Pontius Avenue N, Suite 300, Seattle, WA

Memorial

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson