West Morris Central's First Teacher, Lifelong Chester Resident Dies at 93

Maria Young spent much of her life making Long Valley and Chester a better place.

The former teacher and farmer died recently at Holly Manor Nursing Home at the age of 93, according to her obituary.

Young was a lifelong resident of Chester after her birth in Hoboken in 1921. She received a Master’s degree and Ph.D. from Seton Hall University and became a biology teacher. She was the first hired teacher at West Morris Central High School in 1958. In 2011, she was inducted into the West Morris Teacher Wall of Fame.

During her career she was a member of the Morris County and State Genealogist Societies and a member of the NJEA and NJ Science Teachers Association.

Outside the classroom, Young was a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church and loved Goughryn, her farm on Pleasant Hill Road, where she was a lifelong farmer. Young was the third generation to live on and farm the property.

Young was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 1970. She is survived by her daughter Marie Cogger and husband Bill; son Joseph and wife Jayne; and son John and wife Mary Kay. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A celebration of Young’s life will be held Tuesday, May 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at William J. Leber Funeral Home on Furnace Road. A 10:30 a.m. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 27, at St. Lawrence Church in Chester.