In Loving Memory of
Cornelia Newell Young
of Everett, Washington
09/20/1938 – 06/18/2025
September 20, 1938 – June 18, 2025
Cornelia Young, affectionately known as Cornie to friends and Cissy to family, was born in St. Helena, California to Mason Young III and Katharine (Chase) Young. In the 1940s the family, now including baby sister Anne, moved to Berkeley, California. Cornie graduated from Berkeley High School and attended Mills College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. After graduation, Cornie moved to Seattle, where she lived for most of the rest of her life.
Cornie spent her career with the Washington State Employment Security Department. She began there as a counselor, earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Oregon, and later moved into management. She retired from the Department in 1994. She was involved in the IAPES professional organization, serving in leadership positions, and attending their meetings every year. Her involvement in her alma mater and professional organizations was exemplary.
Cornie loved travel and fun. She celebrated her birthday every year at the Monterey Jazz Festival with a big group of friends. She enjoyed long road trips to all corners of the country, her vehicle overflowing with anything she could possibly need. She kept up with an abundance of family and friends, and seemed to have cousins everywhere! Cornie never met a dog she didn’t love. Wherever she went, she managed to find a dog (or two or three), and she was always ready with a doggie treat!
Cornie relished her role as indulgent aunt. When Auntie Cis visited her niece and nephew, she always made a point of organizing a special treat. Every Christmas she sent a huge box of gifts, which, in true Auntie Cis fashion, usually arrived in late January, and was always cause of great excitement long after Christmas had been forgotten.
In 1961 Cornie gave birth to a daughter, whom she relinquished for adoption. Cornie and her daughter, Heidi Peterson, were happily reunited in 1992, and they enjoyed being an important part of each other’s lives.
Cornie is survived by her daughter, Heidi Peterson (Ron Kelman), her niece Katharine Wilson (Chris McNabb), and her long-time friend, Kathy Andersen. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Graeme Wilson, and her nephew, Iain Wilson.
Cornie will be lovingly remembered for her bright spirit, bright entertaining eccentricities, and bright red hair.
Cornelia was a sweet spirit, never had a bad word to say about anyone. It was a absolute pleasure to know her, and she will be sincerely missed.
I so enjoyed the yearly treks to the Monterey Jazz Festival. Cornie always make the trip more interesting. She enjoyed the music, friends, cousins and the area. I will miss her.
Never boring, often funny, and sometimes exasperating, Cornie was part of my life for 60 years. I met many of my friends through her or with her. I loved the road trips and music and just talking with her. I will miss her.
First cousin Cornie, my only remaining Young cousin, was indeed a different person in the nicest sense of the word “different”. She would show up out of nowhere, almost unannounced, with her car overstuffed with belongings, and stay for several days. She drove a sporty Alfa Romeo for a while until she got a bigger Land Rover or something that could better accommodate her meandering lifestyle. She had a perpetual sense of humor that we’ll greatly miss. We pray the Lord blesses her soul and we thank Him for the many quirky ways she blessed our lives.