SCHENECTADY — Judith Jenkins Young, who enjoyed the adventure of travel and the pleasure of teaching struggling students to read, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. She was 80.

She was born on Sept. 20, 1938 in Albany, the daughter of Evelyn and Wilford “Bill” Jenkins. A graduate of Milne High School of Albany and Clark University of Worcester, Massachusetts in 1960, she returned to the State University of New York at Albany for her master’s in reading education.

She taught in area schools for a number of years, and retired to correct New York State teacher tests and student standardized tests. She was proud to be certified to screen for and treat people with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, also known as Irlen Syndrome, a perceptual processing disorder. She was always eager to help children and adults learn the pleasure of reading.

Mrs. Young, known as Judy, had an adventurous spirit, traveling through Road Scholar and Elderhostel programs to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Canada, and Italy. She greatly enjoyed Empire State Capital Volkssporters excursions as well as frequent visits to family.

Mrs. Young volunteered with Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, Schenectady Home Furnishing Bank, and Proctor’s Theater, as well as knitting hats and sweaters for donation. She was a member of the Community Caregivers,The Nature Conservancy, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Planned Parenthood, and Common Cause.

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Judith Jenkins Young is survived by her brother, George Jenkins of Royersford, Pennsylvania; by her three children, Kathleen Metivier and her husband, Steve, Andrew Young and his wife, Anne, and Wendy Orosz and her husband, Ken; and by her five five grandchildren, Andrea Metivier, Tim Metivier, Jack Young, Charlie Orosz, and Elise Orosz, as well as several nieces and nephews. Extended family live throughout New York, primarily in Watertown and Cazenovia.

Her husband, G. Frederick “Fred” Young died before her, as did her parents, Evelyn and Wilford “Bill” Jenkins.  

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albany on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Mourners may share memories and condolences online at dalyfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Common Cause or Planned Parenthood.