Doretta Ann Young

Doretta was born on December 21st, 1937 in Portland, Oregon to Alice and Heinrich Cantley. She attended Everett High School. In 1955, she met her husband, Bud at a community dance. Together, they welcomed three children. They spent the early part of their married years maintaining a 40 acre farm in Stanwood and eventually moved to Arlington where they built a home in 1968.

Doretta was a tirelessly hard worker and was employed for 20 years at the Arlington Safeway. Later in life, Doretta discovered a talent for caregiving. She cared for many clients over the years and was beloved by them all for her gentle and nurturing nature. She continued caregiving until she was well into her 80s and found genuine joy in taking care of others.

Doretta is remembered by her family for her kindness and her hospitality. You never left Doretta’s house hungry. She made the perfect roast chicken. She enjoyed perusing garage sales and collecting antiques. She loved children and animals. She enjoyed reading biographies and Stephen King novels. She did not belong to an organized religion but was a deeply spiritual person. She was gentle but had a feisty streak if the occasion called for it.

She is preceded in death by her parents Alice and Heinrich Cantley, husband Harry “Bud” Young, and brother John Cantley. She is survived by her son Brent Young (Rebekah Craig) of Samish Island, son Dale Young of Arlington, daughter Kim Nelson (Dave) of Arlington; grandchildren: Tyler Nelson (Aliza), Andy Young, Anna Edwards (Jesse), Brett Nelson, Gracie Young-Craig, and Willow Young-Craig; great grandchildren: Lailoni Edwards, Aloni Edwards, and Kole Nelson.