GILFORD - Lisa Maxine Small Young, beloved wife of Richard Mark Young and devoted mother of Matthew Frederick, Mark George and Michele Ciera Helen, lost her twelve year battle with breast cancer on May 11, 2014, nineteen days after her 54th birthday. Matthew is a junior at Gilford High School, Mark is a freshman and Michele is an 8th grader at the Gilford Middle School.
After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2002 Lisa faced her illness with a quiet force that never quit, strength in the face of great odds, and an ability to keep
fighting after most people would have given up. Born in Biddeford Pool, Maine to Frederick and Leslye Small in 1960 Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Southern Maine. With her nurse friend Lisa Richard Donat, using her credential as an RN, Lisa worked as a nurse and traveled throughout the United States as an RN in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, California, Washington, Nevada, Alaska and Minnesota. Accompanied by Lisa Donat she also traveled throughout Europe and New Zealand. Lisa long enjoyed the out-of-doors and many of her happiest times were spent camping with friends and family in Alaska, New Mexico, Utah, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. While working in Alaska for the Indian Health Service she met fellow nurse Richard Young. They were married on August 6, 1995 at her parent's home by the sea at Biddeford Pool, Maine. Richard and Lisa moved from New Mexico to Gilford, New Hampshire in 2001.
Being active in her community Lisa served on the Board of Directors of the Gunstock Nordic Association since 2010. She has been president of the Association for the past two years--
responsible in large part for promoting the sport of Nordic skiing among the youth of the Lakes
Region. She was an active member of Temple B'Nai Israel in Laconia and has been an
instructor in the religious school of the Temple. Lisa became known for her special qualities---her infectious sense of humor, her loyal and generous friendships, her gift for creating a happy atmosphere, her love of family and friends. She was always anxious to do for others.
Besides her husband and three children, Lisa Maxine Small Young is survived by her mother Leslye Small, her sister Pamela Small Oliver, husband Pare and daughter Elyse, all of Biddeford Pool, Maine; Brother Michael, his wife Jodie and nieces Megan and Jordan of Madison, Connecticut. Her in-laws include mother-in-law Biloine W. Young of St. Paul, Minnesota, brothers-in-law Robin Young of Wayne, PA; Benjamin Young of Colorado Springs, Colorado and sister-in-law Priscilla Young of Buffalo, New York.
Services in celebration of the life of Lisa Maxine Small Young will be held at Temple B'Nai Israel, 210 Court Street in Laconia at 10:00 AM on Tuesday May 13. Burial will be held at the Union Cemetery immediately after the service. A meal of condolence will be held at the Temple after the burial. Shiva services will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night at 7:00 PM at the Young home. Additional visiting hours on Wednesday and Thursday will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Young home. In lieu of flowers in honor of Lisa Maxine Small Young please make a contribution to the Gunstock Nordic Association, PO Box 1307, Laconia, NH 03247 or to Temple B’Nai Israel, 210 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.