Frances Young

Frances Osterman Young 73, of Indianapolis, passed away February 8, 2009. She was born October 20, 1935. She was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church. She was a longtime advocate for disability rights, handicapped accessibility, and other social justice issues. She was a lobbyist and founding member of the Council of Volunteers and Organizations for the Handicapped (COVOH). Her advocacy efforts with COVOH were instumental in securing the passage of the 1969 Indiana Mandatory Special Education Act. She was a past board member of the Muscular Dystophy family foundation and with them in 1981 compiled and eited an accessibility guide book called Navigation Unlimited in Indianapolis. Other advocacy activites included service with the Indiana Special Education Advisory Committee, Indiana Developmental Disabilities Residential Facilities Council, Indianapolis Mayor's Advisory Council on the Disabled, and the Indiana PTA Exceptional Child Committee. As an active charter member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, she volunteered in a variety of activities past and present, including Pastoral Council, liturgy, evangelization, and organist. She presently was serving on Stewardship and Evangelization Committees with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Surviving are her husband, Kenneth Young; son, Chris Young; daughters, Carol (Joe) Schuhler and Karen (Terry) Miller; grandchildren, Brittany, Alaina, Kayla, Heather, Cole; and great-grandchild, Jordan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 12 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 6000 W. 34th St., Indianapolis, with calling there one hour prior to service. Additional visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, February 11 in Stevens Mortuary. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. www.stevensmortuary.net