1943 – 2025
Frankie Marie Young, Environmental Activist and Musical Performer, born in Dallas, Texas, to Mary Kennedy and Frank Young, died March 20th at her home near New Paltz.
Frankie Marie moved with her family to the Hudson Valley as a child, settling in Saugerties. As a teenager she moved to the East Village in New York City and became an early member of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian civil and political rights US organization. She worked at the Post Office and attended LaGuardia Community College. In her 30s she became disabled and returned to the Hudson Valley, settling permanently in the New Paltz area. She was an environmental activist with the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., a non-profit environmental organization, as well as Riverkeeper, the Seed Song Farm and Center, and an original member of New Paltz Climate Action. As a founding member of the Tree Huggers, a folk music group that performs at area environmental events, and a self- taught musician, she wrote songs, sang and played the guitar. Her love of nature sustained her, as she enjoyed kayaking, and was fortunate enough to live in the woods. She was a member of the Cranky Old Lesbians group at the Kingston Unitarian Fellowship. Her gift for friendship means that she leaves many wonderful and caring close friends. She is survived by two brothers, Ralph, of Saugerties, and George, and George’s partner Anne Hunter, of Massachusetts. After her cancer diagnosis she was lovingly cared for by several caretakers in the months before passing in her home.Â
All are welcome to celebrate her life with music and stories on May 10th at 5:30 pm at Kingston Point Beach, https://maps.app.goo.gl/iGQ5EEYvWwnyAgxM6.
Join the family! 
