Sarah J. "Sally" Young

Sarah J. (Sally) Wagner Rivers Young passed away peacefully on February 13^th at Quabbin Valley Healthcare at the age of 78 after a lengthy illness.

Sally was born on September 23^rd, 1945 in Gardner MA to Herman and Mary (Ballam) Wagner.

She was a graduate of Sacred Heart School and Gardner High School Class of 1963.

Sally is survived by her granddaughter Caryn Rivers of Leominster, MA and her grandson Johnathan Rivers (Sondra) of Raeford, NC and her great granddaughters Lina Rivers and Charlotte Rivers of Raeford, NC as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Rudolph Young and her son Brian Rivers as well as both of her beloved sisters Ann Marie (Wagner) Romanson and Sue Ellen (Wagner) Lison.

Sally worked in the healthcare field as a laboratory technician originally at Heywood Hospital before transferring to Athol Hospital where she worked for over 35 years earning commendations for both her quality of work and her years of service before retiring on December 31^st 2013.

She was an avid reader as well as a tireless crafter working in every medium. She was a painter, a seamstress, a crocheter, a basket weaver, a photographer and a knitter. She was a true artist and a familiar face at all of the craft fairs in the area for many years.

She loved to cook and to bake and getting together with family, friends or coworkers was her “happy place”.

Sally loved being a part of her grandchildren’s lives and raising them brought her great pleasure. Vacations at Lake Winnekeag and trips to the ocean were highlights of every summer.

Sally will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Her family wishes to thank all of the staff from Catholic Charities who helped Sally to stay in her home longer than she would have been able without them. Many more thanks to the kind staff at Quabbin Valley Healthcare who took such good care of her while she was there and words cannot even express the debt of gratitude that her family owes to Kristin Torstensen Riordan who selflessly and tirelessly cared and advocated for Sally until the end.

Calling hours will be at Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral home in Orange, MA on Tuesday, February 27^th from 4-7 PM with a private burial on Wednesday February 28^th.

^{Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, and Melissa A. McQuaid, Funeral Directors.}