Warren & Betsy Young

When Warren (Joe) and Betsy Young attended St. David’s for the first time in 1976, St David’s was nearing its 20th Anniversary. The occasion that brought them here was a sad one: a funeral for their friends’ young daughter. Thirty-three years later, the Youngs are leaving Syracuse and St. David’s to move to the Philadelphia, Pa. area, and leave behind them a host of accomplishments and service as testaments to their involvement here.

As warden twice over and multi-term vestry member, Warren has led three capital campaigns and was deeply involved in the creation St. David’s Court handicap accessible apartments in East Syracuse. St. David’s Church was not even completely handicapped-accessible at the time, and Warren oversaw the renovations of the restrooms and the sanctuary to provide full access. Those who witnessed these changes realize the leadership and commitment involved to bring about the features we may take for granted today – there was much unawareness and a great deal of reluctance to overcome, notwithstanding the finances. Another milestone was to hire a paid Education Director for the first time. Even when not serving a defined role at St. David’s, Warren enjoys tending to the Memorial Garden, and the grounds and upkeep at Jamar Drive.

Leadership, commitment, and tireless energy characterize Warren’s whole persona, in both his private and professional lives. As Joseph Warren Young, he grew up in New Jersey, belonging to a family whose parents, particularly his dentist father, were deeply civic minded. Warren was sent to a private school as a means to correct his unmitigated shyness. It was at boarding school that Warren re-invented himself as “Joe”, emerging as an energetic, outgoing doer who never looked back.

It was while attending Williams College in Massachusetts that Warren met Betsy. At that time, Williams was an all men’s institution and Betsy, who attended the Connecticut College for Women, was dating Joe’s roommate. They were to meet and separate several times afterwards, overcoming major obstacles of distance, families and religion before they were able to unite in marriage at Holy Trinity Church in Syracuse, almost twelve years later.

Warren was already successful in the insurance business and as a financial advisor. After college Betsy, a Boston native, worked for the CIA in Washington, DC, then completed graduate school in Social Work at Simmons College. By this time both were in their late twenties; Betsy lived in Boston and Joe lived in the Stratford area of Syracuse, until they threw all caution aside to commit to each other at last.

By the time the Youngs came to St. David’s in 1976, they had two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. As always, there was much turmoil in the world -- Jimmy Carter was President, and importantly for Betsy, the Phol Pot regime came to power in Cambodia. Thousands of desperate Cambodian refugees fled to the US, and Betsy through her work for the Interreligious Council Refugee Resettlement Program became involved with Cambodian refugees locally. Largely through her efforts, St. David’s Church adopted a Cambodian family involving huge commitment of time, resources, and compassion. (When the family had a newborn son, they named him “Hannett” after none other than Bill and Marcia Hannett). Betsy Young became the second mother and dedicated friend to a Cambodian boy, with whom she is still involved with.

Betsy chaired COTA twice, served one term on the vestry, taught Sunday school, and served on the Pastoral Care Committee, visiting many of our members when they were in need. She also greatly enjoyed our Foyer Groups.

Now at the age when many people retire, the Youngs will set forth on a new challenge and adventure by joining Coniston a Kendal community in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Kendal communities are Quaker run “whole life” residential and value based retirement entities, integrating sustainable living, lifelong learning through University studies, spiritual growth and outreach – the list is all encompassing, and sounds like the sort of lifestyle the Youngs would embrace.

Warren wants to become “Joe” again, and to engage himself in personal and spiritual growth, and to venture into yet unexplored avenues of life. He is a member of the Mankind Project, which strives to help men attain balance in their lives through mentoring and training. Both Betsy and Joe are avid gardeners, and they will have just enough grounds available to surround their new home with gardens. Winterthur and Longwood Gardens, the pinnacle of garden estates and horticulture are nearby, as well as Kendal resources through the University of Delaware, giving Betsy and Joe Young new opportunities to grow and explore along another major life journey.