Annamae Young, a retired insurance assistant and volunteer, dies at 93
**Annamae Young, 93, Beloved Mentor, Community Volunteer, and Devoted Mother**
Annamae Young, a retired insurance assistant, mentor, and community volunteer, passed away on September 8 at the age of 93. Known for her dedication to mentoring colleagues and enhancing workplace efficiency, she earned deep respect and recognition from those she trained and guided throughout her career.
Born on June 16, 1932, in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, Annamae was raised in a hardworking family. Her father was a house painter, and her mother worked as a short-order cook and domestic worker. She attended Lower Merion High School, where she developed a love for studying Latin. Despite occasional illness, she excelled academically, once acing a test upon returning to school, impressing her teacher who told her, “You can’t keep a good woman down.”
Growing up on West Spring Avenue in Ardmore, near Haverford College, Annamae experienced a diverse neighborhood composed of Black, Italian, Irish, and German families. Recalling her childhood, she said, “They were lean days,” remembering cardboard in her shoes and an outhouse in the yard. “I didn’t know I was poor, because everyone was.” She fondly recalled a neighbor who had the first TV on the block, where viewers paid a quarter to watch. Her mother generously baked biscuits and fried chicken on a pot-bellied stove, often feeding neighbors who came from miles around, with visitors announcing themselves at the unlocked front door by calling, “Yoo-hoo! Is anyone home?”
Annamae first married Charles Hall Sr. and later Vernon Young, and she was the loving mother of five children. After the death of Vernon Young in 1995, she relocated to Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Her career began as a packer at the Swell bubble gum factory in Havertown, before becoming an insurance underwriting assistant at Philadelphia’s Aetna/Cigna Insurance Company. Known for her meticulous work ethic, Annamae earned bonuses for suggesting workplace efficiencies and became a valued mentor. Even after her retirement, coworkers requested her notes as they admired her expertise.
In retirement, Annamae remained active in her community. She worked briefly at a children’s boutique in Wayne, joined a seniors’ book club, and tutored both adults and elementary school students. She was deeply compassionate, supporting children’s charities and often reflecting on profound questions like, “Why do good people suffer?” and “Why do children have to suffer?” Throughout her later years, she remained thoughtful, skeptical, and curious.
Family was central to Annamae’s life. She cherished time spent with loved ones, enjoyed shopping and knitting, and dressed with care—often gifting colorful handmade scarves. Her love of cooking extended beyond daily meals; she was known for sumptuous Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations filled with gifts for her children. She cooked roasts, chicken, fish, macaroni and cheese, and candied sweet potatoes, and baked apple pies along with spritz, chocolate chip, and peanut butter cookies.
Annamae was also a lover of music and entertainment. She enjoyed traveling, watching game shows, playing board and card games, following sports, and listening to favorite artists including Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, and Luther Vandross. Her family recalled how she sometimes sang along while playing the opera *Carmen*. Although her humor was dry, she had a quick wit and occasionally danced alone in the kitchen. Family game nights, especially Uno and checkers, were a highlight—where she sometimes playfully bent the rules to win.
During Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Annamae actively volunteered at local campaign headquarters, making phone calls to support his candidacy. She quietly celebrated her children’s accomplishments, encouraging their artistic interests with painting and dance classes and trips to the theater.
Annamae was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Annie Bell Moses, and siblings Severn, John, Paul, William, Evelyn, Marion, and Teddy.
She is survived by her children: Vikki Asbury (Ernest), Gavin Moses, Julie Haywood (Art), Scott Hall, and Charles Hall Jr. (Tommy); grandchildren Casei Dickens, Kimberli Asbury, Ernest Asbury III, Chelci Asbury, Olivia Smith (Miles), Alexandra Haywood, Arthur Haywood IV, and Tree Moses; great-grandchildren Autumn Cijntje, George Taylor Jr., Jayce Dickens, Jasmine Asbury-Johnson, Jordan Asbury, Kymara Asbury, Cailyn Asbury, Aiden Douglas, and Harper Douglas; along with other family members and friends.
Services were held Friday at DeBaptiste Funeral Home.
Annamae Young’s legacy of kindness, mentorship, and devoted family love will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.
https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/annamae-young-a-retired-insurance-assistant-and-volunteer-dies-at-93/article_e4c93ab0-a19c-4465-a5c4-1d97cac7b796.html
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