Jean Ann Young

Jean Ann (Kammer) Young, 75, of Lakeland, FL, passed away on Friday. April 22, 2022, at 4:04 AM after a major stroke at Lakeland Regional Hospital. Jean was born on November 19, 1946, to Rita & Ray Kammer in Marine City, Michigan. They moved to South Florida in 1956 where her father brought his Army WWII skills of fiberglass working to Chris-Craft Boats, where she, her father, and mother all worked in the Pompano Beach manufacturing plant. Jean was predeceased by her mother Rita, father Ray, and two older sisters Marilyn and Pat, their husbands. Jean graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale Florida Class of 1964. In 1966 she met her husband of 53 years James R. Young while he was on Navy leave in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the Vietnam conflict. They lived in his home state of Indiana for a couple of years and then returned to Florida in 1971 where they lived out the rest of their years. On September 17, 1968, Jim and Jean married in Florida and started their 53-year journey together, survived by her husband Jim and their three children and spouses: Allicia Walford (52) (Kevin), Rick Young (51) (Linda) & Amanda Chanco (40) (Doug). Along with 6 grandchildren; Kelly Osborne (29), Zachary Walford (21), Daniel Walford (19), Douglas Chanco (13), William Chanco (10) & Piper Chanco (7). Jean’s grandchildren were her entire world. And her many nieces and nephews. Jean was a waitress for over 50 years, usually the morning shift at diners, and loved her regulars. There was often an extra seat at the Thanksgiving table for one of her newly widowed regulars. Waitressing offered her the flexibility to run her household and still support her three children in their many activities. Jean was very crafty like her mother, crocheted and made beautiful quilted blankets, and outfits for all the newborns. She could fix or make any piece of clothing the family needed. She often made homemade Halloween outfits for Allicia, Rick, & Amanda. Holidays at Grandma and Grandpa’s were events to be looked forward to, as the kids got older it soon just became Christmas, but Jean LOVED to bake homemade cookies and a feast for an army. Traditions and stories are very important to the Young family, she led that charge. Jean was always an avid reader and loved playing cards with her husband. Her grandkids loved challenging her to Scrabble or Backgammon. To “beat” Grandma allowed bragging rights for quite the while. In 2003 she and Jim moved to Lakeland, Florida and 10 years later retired, enjoying spending time with their children and grandchildren every chance they got. Jean was always an avid reader and loved playing cards with her husband. She had a personality larger than life, was greatly loved, and will be missed by all who knew her.