Elizabeth P. Young

Elizabeth P. (Pollok) Young, 93, was surrounded by family as she passed away peacefully on April 18, 2024. She was born on November 24, 1930, to Arthur Jason Pollok and Olive Agnes (Townsend) Pollok in Mason, Michigan. She grew up on the family farm on Columbia Road in Dansville, Michigan with her parents, her brothers and sisters. Elizabeth (Liz) graduated from Ingham Township Agricultural School in Dansville in 1948. After graduation, she attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in June 1953, later earning a Master's degree from Michigan State University in September 1966.

Liz began her teaching career in Alexandria, Virginia prior to working for two years for the U.S. Air Force Department schools. She taught Air Force dependent children at bases, first for a year in Japan and then second, in France. During those years, Liz was an avid traveler exploring during every holiday and occasional weekends with other teachers traveling to famous cities and through the countryside. She explored Tokyo, Mt Fujiyama, Bangkok, Thailand and various other destinations in the Far East. When in France, Liz and her friends also spent time in Germany, England, Holland, Italy, Ireland and Spain. Liz returned to the states in 1957 and began teaching at Maplewood Elementary School in Lansing, Michigan. In 1962, Liz was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship and was assigned to teach in Blundellsands, England for a year. That year, she spent the Christmas holiday in Athens, Greece, Istanbul, Turkey and arrived in Jerusalem on Christmas Eve. Other adventures took her to Egypt and Kenya then Brazil and Uruguay. Liz returned to continue her teaching at Maplewood Elementary School until she retired, June 1986.

On July 14, 1977 Liz married George Young. At that time, she became (step) mother to Debra, Nannette, Susan and Timothy Young, George’s children. She and George purchased Camp Anjigami, a fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada in 1985. They eventually bought several outpost fishing camps in the area near Wawa, Ontario. Many times, Liz flew with George to service the camps and check on their guests. When it came time to sell the fishing camps, they built a log cabin on Ogas Lake where they spent several months each summer entertaining family and friends.

Throughout her life, Liz was a faithful member of several churches, including Dansville United Methodist Church, First United Presbyterian Church (Mason) and Millville United Methodist Church (Stockbridge). She loved reading the Bible and devotions daily and she had an unwavering faith in God. She went on mission trips to Haiti and Mexico where they helped dig wells and build a church.

Liz loved spending time with George, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Liz spent many hours walking with and talking to the black labs that she and George owned. In addition to reading her Bible and devotionals, she loved telling stories of her past to her grandchildren, playing various games and completing crossword puzzles. Her absolute favorite game in later years was dominoes which her opponents would tell you, she usually won. She looked at clouds and made up stories about them. When in Canada, she enjoyed spending time with George, the wildlife (moose, bears and loons) and enjoying the scenery. Her favorite birds to watch were hummingbirds.

Liz was always quick witted with a joke or funny comment. She was loved by her family and friends. Her caregivers (in the hospital, in her apartment with George and her room she was in the past few months) all talked about how funny and nice she was, even when she was not feeling her best. They loved visiting with and taking care of her.

Elizabeth is survived by her children Debra (Chuck) Peabody, Nannette (Tom) Smith, Susan (Kevin) Hughes and Timothy (Kelly) Young; grandchildren, Eileen (Kerry) Boggs, Amanda (Josh) McClure, Meagan Hughes, Lauren Hughes, Justin Young, and Ethan Young; and three great granddaughters, Addison and Kensley McClure and Elizabeth Boggs as well as many nieces and nephews.

Liz is preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents Authur and Olive Pollok; her brothers Martin, Marshall, Joe and David and sisters, Agnes and Arvis.

Her family would like to thank the dedicated personnel of Independence Village, StoryPoint and CorsoCare Hospice for their wonderful care, support and kindness to Liz and her family.

Visitation will be held on April 23 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 24, both at Millville United Methodist Church (Stockbridge, Michigan) with a graveside service following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in memory of Elizabeth. As a final thought, please also consider doing an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone. A final thought from Liz…Comme ci comme ça!!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3