Mildred L. Younger, 94, passed away Sept. 1. Mildred was born and raised in Rumson by her parents Ruth Embley Lease and Joseph G. Lease, later moved to Freehold, Adelphia, Fair Haven and Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls.
Mildred graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1941, received an A.A. from Monmouth College, a B.S. from Simmons College and an M.S. from Columbia University. She was principal children’s librarian with Monmouth County Library in Freehold from 1946-1958 and education media specialist/librarian in the Freehold Regional High School District from 1958 until her retirement in 1986. She served as a member/historian and held various executive positions for MCREA, NJREA, NJEA, NJ Library Association, among others.
Mildred was a very active lifetime member of St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson; she was appointed by Reverend George Willis as parish librarian; served as archivist putting the history of St. George’s into writing that had only been shared as oral stories by members through the years; a knowledgeable and passionate reader of the Bible; devoted member of the Bible Study Fellowship; ran and contributed many of her own books to the Canterbury Fair book sale; donated to the church over the years, including a magnificent frontal for the altar in memory of her mother.
Among her many passions was her devotion to her family, friends, religion, lifelong relationship with her books and her beloved feline companions.
Mildred, known to close family and friends as “Mimi,” was predeceased by her parents, husband Roy R. Younger, cousins Ruth V. Fowler (and husband Harden C. Fowler), William F. Vital Sr., and Gary Vital. She is survived by cousins Harden W. Fowler (and Lois Lyons), Jane Fowler Hartman (her sons Matthew and Erik Hartman and granddaughter Naomi Hartman), Lorraine Vital and William F. Vital Jr.
There will be a visitation Sept. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a service at 6:30 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. Burial will be private. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Mildred L. Younger to: St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church, 7 Lincoln Ave., Rumson, NJ 07760 or Monmouth County Retired Educators Association, MCREA Philanthropic Fund, 159 Deerfield Lane, Matawan NJ 07747.
