Matilda Miller Young with her husband, Willard, near the Seagate Condominium in 1970.
By Mary Katherine Stump
DELRAY BEACH — Matilda Miller Young, a resident of Delray Beach, passed away on Oct. 19 at the age of 103.
“She was determined to live ’til 100,” said her son-in-law, Oswald “Os” Peters.
Mrs. Young was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and later lived in Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston before her move to South Florida in 1965 with her husband of 60 years, Willard “Bill” V. Young. Mr. Young served as the mayor of Delray Beach from 1982 to 1984. He passed away in 1987.
“They were an extremely interesting couple,” said Mr. Peters. “He was a grand raconteur and she was a great hostess during his time as mayor. A very appropriate first lady. She never earned 10 cents a day in her life! She was a kept woman.”
With her husband, Mrs. Young travelled the globe extensively, having visited 63 countries and all 50 states. “They were curious. He took his 16 mm camera with him and she took her 34 mm,” said Mr. Peters. The two kept a diary to remember the details of their trips—the names of the lakes and the mountains. Once they returned they would put on slideshows to help raise money for charitable organizations in the area. “She photographed people,” said Mr. Peters. “Willard took the wildlife and scenic shots, and she took the pictures of the people. They had a character, a personality that she was attracted to about a place. She liked people, and by virtue of her involvement in her many different clubs, she was incredibly outgoing.”
Ms. Young was involved in the Delray Beach Garden Club and the Republican Women’s Club. She was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Huguenot Society. She was an avid golfer and bridge player and a skilled needlewoman.
She is survived by four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and son in law, C. Oswald Peters of Palm Beach Gardens. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Audrey Y. Dunlop and Marjorie Y. Peters.
Private family services will be held in the Garth at Church of the Palms Congregational Church, Delray Beach.
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