Yvonne Young Merrill
Feb 6, 1939 -
Aug 13, 2026
Yvonne Young Merrill passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 13, 2026, after a brief illness and the blessing of a long, rich life. She was born in Oakland, Calif., on Feb., 6, 1939, to Dr. William Rigby Young and Wilma Hanson Young. Yvonne was the oldest of six siblings who loved one another with a consistent, supportive intimacy throughout their lives.
The friendships she nurtured from her formative years were a light throughout her life. She attended St. Mary of the Wasatch Catholic School, Bryant and later Hillside Junior High and East High. Yvonne pledged Chi Omega and graduated from the University of Utah, but her broadest education was of her own volition in relationships, causes, books and experiences. Eighty-seven years were not enough to satisfy a lifetime of inquiry and boundless curiosity.
In 1960, she married Joseph S. Merrill and they raised three daughters in Logan, Utah, and Anchorage, Alaska. During their marriage they designed and built three beautiful houses, each a labor of love with their shared craftsmanship and Yvonne's curated textiles, paintings and art. Her handmade embroidery was a whimsical treasure.
She spent a lifetime designing educational materials for children in some capacity, ahead of the curve in each endeavor. She believed in contributing to community and fostering change, and as such she shaped lives and places. While raising three children, she helped found Logan's Holly Fair and wrote a guide to Cache Valley. Her Anchorage Museum exhibits, her Art Trunks for the Anchorage School District and her Pre-Columbian curriculum for UCLA led to the publication of seven multicultural resource books. Alongside three dedicated Alaskan women she fundraised for and founded The Imaginarium Science Center, which still exists as part of the Discovery Center at the Anchorage Museum. Yvonne was honored as a "Woman of Achievement" and May 10th is "Yvonne Merrill Day" in Anchorage.
Yvonne believed in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the essence of her religion. She valued human rights and believed in the social and spiritual value of all people as children of God. She nurtured enduring friendships across every social boundary and took great interest in even the stranger's life. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and proud of her pioneer heritage.
Yvonne believed motherhood mattered deeply and took this aspect of her life seriously. She planned memorable "cousin camps" for her grandchildren. She believed happiness as a daily, active choice and sought learning, growth and engaging conversation.
She and Joe divorced in 1991, and she returned to Salt Lake City to be among daughters, sisters and grandchildren. Yvonne's passport contains stamps of six continents, far-flung places. She researched each locations' history prior to visiting Egypt, Jordan, throughout Europe and China. Her travels with her beloved sisters on "Sister Trips" around the world and nation were among her most cherished life experiences.
She was active in the Anchorage League of Women Voters, a feminist, a sharer of books and an environmentalist. She was cultured and well-read. Up to her final days, Yvonne enjoyed some non-negotiables: beautiful clothes, a funky brooch, fresh flowers, Trader Joe's cookies and loads of butter.
Yvonne leaves a gaping hole in our lives, and she would encourage us to fill it with rich relationships and exploration. She is preceded in death by her parents and beloved brother, "Brother Bill," William Rigby Young Jr.
Left to celebrate her life include her three daughters, Melinda Tietjen (Allen), Tessa Reinemer (Hans) and Emily Mortensen (Spence); 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four beloved sisters, Martha Mortensen (Glenn), Rebecca Richards (Robb), Jocelyn Young (Gil Dammond) and Alice Ann Young.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to those doing work Yvonne cared about including PBS/KUED or arts enrichment in a local public school.
