Esther (Fabiano) Young

God called our loving, faith-filled aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and great-great-great-aunt to eternal rest on August 16, 2023, at the age of 100.  Although she was our aunt, she was more like a mother and grandmother to all of us.

She was born September 29, 1922, in Holland, Michigan to Charles and Michelina (Caruso) Fabiano where she spent her childhood.  She moved to Lansing in 1939, and finished high school at St. Mary’s High School.

Esther was a faithful member of the Cathedral of Saint Mary.  She was devoted to the Divine Mercy, Blessed Mother and Padre Pio.  She led a very prayerful life.  She was a member of the Catholic Business Women for many years where she held many offices.  Esther was proud to be an Italian-American.  She was a member of the Italian-American Women’s Auxiliary and the Sant’ Ippolito Society.  She will be remembered for her love of family, zest for adventure, love of travel and especially her generous heart.

Esther worked for the Office of Defense Transportation during WWII.  After that she worked for the Department of Agriculture where she met her future husband.  Then she worked for independent businesses processing taxes.  She finally retired in 1993.

On August 1, 1964, Esther married Joel Young and they shared 36 years of adventure. They traveled to Europe, United States and Canada including two trips to Alaska. Esther and Joe enjoyed the “Farm” near Wellston, Michigan, especially after Joe retired. The property remains in the family to this day.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; siblings: James Fabiano, Julia and Sam Caruso, Virginia and Gabriel Bonfiglio, Louis Fabiano, Josephine Fabiano, Louise Fabiano, Michael and Jane Fabiano; as well as nieces and nephews: Samuel Caruso, Linda Fabiano, Charles and Emma Caruso, James and Mary Ann Fabiano, John Blair, Richard Ghinelli, Andy Jakimuis and Nancy Murphy.

She is survived by her precious dog, Harley; her nieces and nephew:  Madeline (Fabiano) Blair, Kathleen (Fabiano) Ghinelli and Charles Fabiano; great-nieces and nephews:  Jane (Jerry) Fabiano-Turner, Michael (Sharon) Fabiano, JoAnn (Bill) Backus, John (Jolynn) Blair, Steve (Kim) Blair, Dan Blair, Katherine (Kevin) Personius, Paul (Missy) Ghinelli, Joseph (Wendy) Ghinelli, Gina (Brian) Mulcahey, Rich (Laura) Ghinelli, Brian (Nikki) Fabiano, Robert (Kathleen) Caruso, Julie Jakimuis, and Debbie (Jack) Voegler and their families; great-nephew-in-law, Joe Murphy; and many great-great-nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by Joe’s family, Bart and Connie Young and their children, Meghan (Tim) and Rusty (Amy).

Special thank you to Father Bill Lugger, Judy, Dawn, Michele, Pennie and Wendy for the wonderful care and friendship they gave to Esther.  We would like to thank the staff of Regency of Lansing West for Esther’s care.  Also, to the staff of Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan who cared her for on her final day.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21, 2023, at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing, Michigan 48933, with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the Cathedral. Interment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.