Anne Gibson Young (December 4, 1948 – November 10, 2024)

Anne grew up on Long Island in Valley Stream, NY with her parents Howell aka Howie and Gibson aka Gib Young. She had one brother, Howell P. Young, Jr, aka “Boysie” who predeceased her. Her mother, a social worker, provided a loving home for Anne’s entire family.  Her father commuted into New York City as an economist with the Mutual of New York.

His family of many generations spent summers in Quogue NY, on the Eastern end of Long Island, where he held the position of Commodore at the local yacht club. Anne proudly owned and sailed her Sunfish named “Dunker” with sail number 2492 both for pleasure and competed in regattas where she earned many awards.

Anne graduated from high school in 1967 as valedictorian. She graduated with an AB in Physics from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania with honors in 1971.  She earned her MS also in Physics from Cornell University in 1974, where she continued for her PhD in Science Education.  While writing her dissertation, she worked as an Assistant Professor at the Coast Guard Academy (1978-79) and at Vassar College (1979-80).  In 1980, upon the completion of her PhD, she joined the faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology and was a Professor of Physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

In 1989 on her sabbatical, she had a teaching fellowship at Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as a visiting scholar.  She retired from RIT in 2011 as Professor Emerita, but as the avid educator prevailed, she continued to teach through 2016 as an adjunct professor.

Anne’s interests were not confined to the scientific sphere. A “Renaissance Woman,” her love of literature often brought her to sites about which she had read, in the United States as well as abroad. The avid reader that she was, she was never found without a book in her hand.  She also loved music, theater, especially musicals, and Scottish dancing. She was an instructor in the Rochester Scottish Country Dance Society and participated in dances and festivals across the country.

There was also a spiritual side to Anne. As a child she was brought up in a home with reverence for God.  In her adulthood she continued to follow the Lord and found a spiritual home at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greece, NY,  not far from where she resided. Anne became an active member there and contributed time, treasure and talent to the Church. Caring for the many plants and gardens at the Church became one of Anne’s favorite pastimes. Anne loved all living things, fauna as well as flora.

She had a special love of dogs, spending many happy hours walking and playing with her friends’ canine children. Besides dogs, she embraced children – listened to, taught and read aloud to them – giving  them the best presents that were perfect for their age and temperaments and were always educational.

Anne is survived by her nephew, Michael (and wife and daughter), her niece Christine (and her six children) and many dear friends, all who will miss her unwavering spirit and boundless love.

Anne’s Memorial Service will be on Sunday December 8, 2024 at 12:30 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3450 Ridge Road West, Rochester NY 14626. Reception will follow at the church. The Rev. Deborah Duguid-May will officiate.  

All welcome to attend in person or join on Zoom Https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86275823665?pwd=iirJwZmxDpJpswQsaCtaiI5KxGr80H.1

Meeting ID: 862 7582 3665 / Passcode: 237014

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s memory may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), or Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets (GRASP) PO Box 26741, Rochester NY 14626.