Carolann Barbara (Larsen) Young, age 80, of Albany passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on February 12, 2026 after ten long months fighting to recover from a stroke. Through it all, she remained the strong, courageous and loving person we have always known – with a sense of humor and affection that lifted everyone around her.

Carol was born in Washington, D.C. to John and Gwendolyn Larsen (Butt) on August 15, 1945. She grew up with her younger sister and lifelong friend Christine (Lynch). She graduated from Northport High School in 1962 and was excited to be accepted into a design school in NY. Although she did not attend, her creativity continued through painting, stained glass, soap making, origami and gardening.

Carol's life was marked by steadfast kindness, quick wit, and quiet courage. She had a gift for making people feel at home, and the backbone to stand up for what she believed was right. She was equal parts kindness and grit: welcoming, funny, and absolutely dependable. From an early age, she was drawn to service and to people. In her 20s she taught Sunday school, and that gift for sharing knowledge with compassion and acceptance never left her. She connected easily, listened closely, positively impacting those around her.

She met the love of her life, Walter, while waitressing at her mother's diner. They loved each other deeply and their happiness was made of simple things: big gardens, camping in their VW bus, enjoying the ocean even on a cold day, stargazing and John Denver playing in the background. With Walter by her side, she felt she could do anything, and she did. In the late 1970s she served as chair of Concerned Citizens for Safe Energy in Kinderhook, NY. Nervous yet resolute, she helped lead opposition to a proposed two-unit nuclear power plant in Stuyvesant Falls, efforts that helped ensure it was never built. It was one of the many ways she showed up for others, with principle and heart.

After Walter's passing, Carol worked hard to support her family, ultimately finding her place at the Goldstein Auto Group. There she worked for 30 years as the trusted human resource manager and "payroll queen" until age 79, with "retirement" arriving only slightly earlier than planned.? She gave her heart to the company and the people there.? She worked with dedication, warmth, humor, wit, and a calm toughness. You could always count on Carol, especially when employees faced difficult times. She was revered, adored, loved and cared for – her friends at Goldstein were and remain, family.

Carol's curiosity and goodness drew her outward, grounded in a love for peace, nature, the earth, and all its inhabitants. In 1988 she traveled with her dear friend Ken Tuczynski to visit the people of Ukraine and Russia within the Soviet Union. It was "the time of her life," and she carried a simple message wherever she went: peace, and the commonality of humanity regardless of who you are. She also loved trips out west with Cherril to see John and his family and explore Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, bringing to life her love of mountains, wildlife, and conservation. She explored the world through books as well, proudly keeping a Kindle reading streak of more than 1500 consecutive days.

She was a talker, a storyteller, and someone who delighted in the small wonders of life. She enjoyed mead, especially because it was made of honey and her beloved bees. The former Royal Meadery was her favorite place to enjoy mead with family, chatting with old friends and new, while sharing her knowledge of mead, its origins, and why it was special, along with her admiration for the young, hardworking owners who made it a community.

Above all, Carol was most proud of her granddaughter, Mya. The sun rose and set with her girl. She eagerly awaited their frequent facetimes and treasured her early morning alone time with Mya: reading, playing games, and talking quietly before anyone else woke up during their visits. Carol will continue to guide her, and to be proud as she watches Mya grow into a loving, talented, smart, and compassionate young woman.

Carol's life was built on love, good work, and the simple joys that never stopped feeling miraculous to her. She championed her family and friends every day. We will continue to be together through our stories, our memories, and our spirits.

Missed and remembered by her children, John R. Wenz, Cherril A. Young (Andy Novak -cherished and adored), granddaughter, Mya Amelie Wenz, sister, Christine Lynch (Chip), niece, Lanna Rae (Ruggie) Lynch George (Kirt), beloved niece McKaylee Reilly, beloved niece Lexi (Lexi Belle) Reilly, nephew Shawn Lynch George, stepdaughter Valerie Young Chieppo (Timothy Chieppo, son Tim), cousins; Gail Harris (Mike, son Clint), Patrice Lima (Frank "Carol Quan", sons Guido and Mike), Deirdre Portnoy (John, sons Eben and Caleb); close friend Tracy Springer; dear friend, Caroline "Toots" Lynch; and beloved neighbors Miranda Carrier, Thelma Terrell (late Jesse), Theresa Walker and Patrick Walters. Our gratitude to countless extended family members, and friends of mom's, John's and Cherril's for their support and love over the past ten months and a lifetime. Heartfelt gratitude to those who made a difference at the Northeast Center- special, hardworking people who loved and cared so much for Carol and enjoyed her company.

Pre-deceased by her beloved spouse, Walter R. Young, parents John and Gwendolyn Larsen, stepson Walter R. Young Jr., beloved nephew Shawn Lynch, dear friend Kenneth Tuczynski, childhood best friend Bobbi and mom's loving cats and dogs.

Visitation will be held at Bond Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21, 10am-12pm, 1015 Kinderhook St., Rt. 9, Valatie, NY 12184. Followed by burial at Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery, Rt. 9, Stuyvesant Falls, NY.

Memorial donations are welcome, some of Carol's favorites were; Grand Teton National Park Foundations 399 Memorial fund, Doctors Without Borders, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Federation, Orange Street Cats and St. Jude. Or an act of kindness could be shared in her name. Or finally, make contact with the city of Albany and demand they fill in all the "God damned potholes" on Hackett Blvd. (direct from mom)