Gail Young of Denver, Colorado, passed away with her family by her side on February 20th after a brief illness. Gail was born in Amsterdam, New York, the sole child of Walter and Pauline (née George) Van Hine. Her father worked with inner-city youth through the YMCA and because of his job, Gail and her parents moved from Amsterdam to Flushing, New York, and then Los Angeles, California, where, as a young teenager, Gail had experiences that stayed with her for a lifetime. Under the loving guidance of Belle Vivian, "The Mountaineers," Gail's Girl Scout troop, trekked through the Sierras and summited Mt. Whitney twice (1946, 1947) during extended pack trips. Those memories and friendships remain to this day. During the summer before her senior year, Gail and her parents moved to Royal Oak, Michigan. There, she graduated valedictorian of her class, much to the chagrin of the young woman who thought she had no competition until Gail moved in. Always kind, always concerned for others, Gail suggested they share the honor and everyone was happy.

On that cross-country trip during the summer of 1948 to Royal Oak, Gail fell in love with Boulder and decided on the spot that she would attend the University of Colorado. She was an avid explorer with the CU Hiking Club, a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, and was one of only three females who graduated with a major in Geology in May of 1953, magna cum laude at that.

After graduation, Gail moved to Denver to work for Standard Oil of California as an exploration geologist. She also received a phone call from George Young, whom she had been acquainted with at CU. Nine months later, in September of 1954, they were married. Cynthia Gail was born in June,1958, Karen Elizabeth in May,1961, and Nancy Kathryn in February,1964. Gail stopped working when the girls arrived but when they were older, she volunteered for the Colorado Open Space Council and the Rocky Mountain Center on the Environment as she was passionate about our earth and wanted to do what she could to help preserve its beauty. Ultimately, she went back to work at the University of Denver as an executive assistant at both the Denver Research Institute and the Department of Astrophysics.

Gail's self-described "best years" began in 1991 when she and George retired and started traveling, making 22 trips to Alaska to visit daughters there, exploring the US and Europe, and wintering in Tucson for nearly three decades. She and George especially enjoyed spending entire summers at the family cabin in Estes Park, Colorado, sharing one of their favorite places in the world with family and innumerable friends. Those friends and then grandchildren and recently, 2 great-grandchildren, enriched an already rich life.

In 2022, Gail and George moved from their University Hills home of 67 years to Hilltop Reserve Senior Living where Gail was not only grateful for the extra help but was happy every single day that she no longer had to cook.

A short illness brought an end to a life so well-lived: an active and curious mind that loved to learn; a love of all nature, especially the mountains; and a deep love of family. Her memories will be carried on by her husband of 70 years, George; Cindy and John Minier, grandson John Paul Minier and his daughter, Josie; Karen and Herb Vogel, grandson, Steven Vogel and and his wife, Kim, and their children, George and Marie Vogel; grandson, Austin Vogel and his wife, Nicole; Nancy and Perry Giles and granddaughters Heather and Jessica Giles. Gail's family is so grateful for the time she allowed us at the end to be by her side, giving us time to say thank you for all that she passed on to us during her life and to let her know how much she will be missed.

At her request, no service will be held, but please think of Gail when you look at the Front Range mountains; know how much she loved this life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gail's honor to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains or any fund at The University of Colorado Department of Geological Sciences at Geological Sciences Department | Geological Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder or Population Connection at Homepage - Population Connection