Mary Frances Yung

Mary Frances Yung


Mary Frances ("Frankie") Yung, 78, long-time resident of Glenrock, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on December 16, 1940, to Mary and Maurice Walsh and raised in Forest Grove, Oregon with her brother and two sisters amid an extended family. Mary enjoyed her time in high school at St. Mary of the Valley ("Valley Catholic School") and attended college at Gonzaga University studying liberal arts, where she met engineering student Kenneth K. Yung of Hong Kong. Mary and Ken married in 1961 and relocated to Wyoming where Ken began his career and Mary raised their children. The family lived in Riverton, Jeffrey City, and Glenrock, Wyoming, and in Kingwood, Texas, eventually settling permanently in Glenrock.

Family and faith remained the core values in Mary's life. She devoted herself as a wife and mother, raising seven children who have vivid memories of nightly bedtime stories, tuck-ins with soothing songs, and being surrounded by love. The family enjoyed camping, backyard barbecues, board games, and vacationing in Wyoming's beautiful state and national parks, where the kids would bring their fishing rods and Mary enjoyed a good book. Mary loved taking summer vacations to Oregon to visit relatives and expose her children to Dungeness crab, salt water taffy, strawberry picking, and the ocean. She loved the water. She loved singing, laughing, wit, wildflowers, literature, coloring, embroidery, words, and the arts. Her grounding presence extended to her sixteen grandchildren (all of whom she said were "way above average") who experienced Nana's rapt attention and unconditional acceptance and love. Last summer, she celebrated the marriage of her oldest grandchild with all sixteen grandchildren and her great grandchild in attendance.

As her children grew older, Mary received her teaching credentials and Master of Education degree from the University of Wyoming. She began a teaching career that lasted more than 20 years. This chapter of her life was enormously fulfilling. Teaching brought her great joy and was a natural fit. Mary first taught at a two-room country schoolhouse in Ogallala. Eventually, she taught fourth grade at Grant Elementary School in Glenrock. Mary cared profoundly for her students and enjoyed watching them grow up in the community. She developed long-lasting and meaningful friendships with her fellow teachers.

Mary was a devoted member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Glenrock. She was involved in many activities, taught Sunday school, and had numerous friends among fellow parishioners and clergy.

In retirement, Mary enjoyed water aerobics, tai chi, reading, drawing, music, tending her flowers, catching up with lifelong friends, playing with her dog Sam, visits to and from family, and many adventures with Ken.

The family will miss her sage wisdom often displayed through life stories, the message of each would often hit you later. We will miss her generosity of time and attention, unfailing faith and unconditional love. She was completely selfless and content, joyfully immersed in family, friends, and faith. Mary experienced the beauty of life in every corner. Gentleness, wholehearted acceptance, and grace were truly some of her gifts. She is immensely loved by her entire family.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Mary Frances and Maurice Henderson Walsh and her sister Winifred Elliott. In addition to her devoted husband of 58 years, Kenneth Yung, Mary is survived by: sister Maurine Duyck; brother Jacob Walsh; sister-in-law Joanna Vifquain (Jim); children Kenneth Yung, Jr. (Nancy), Kevin Yung (Tammy), Gaelan Bisheh (Alex), Cameron Yung Johnson (Lars), Jane Yung, Andrew Yung (Carmen), and Matthew Yung (Julie); grandchildren Mary Robichaud (David), Sahar Burns (Chris), John Yung, Natalie Bisheh, Riley Yung, Sarah Yung, Jasmine Bisheh, Rebecca Yung, Terrence Yung, Veronica Yung, Alexander Yung, Margot Yung, Sophia Yung, Andie Yung, Harper Yung, and Hazel Yung; great-grandson Elliot Burns; and many dear nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Thank you, Mom and Nana, for everything. Life is good.

Donations can be made in her memory to Glenrock Senior Citizens Center (307-436-9442) or St. Louis Catholic Church in Glenrock.

The family would like to thank all of Mary's friends who have always made Ken and Mary's life abundant.

A rosary will be prayed on Sunday, May 5th at 7 p.m. and a funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 6th at 10 a.m., both at St. Louis Catholic Church (601 S. 5th St., Glenrock, WY).
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