Patricia Joan Herbert Young, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a courageous battle with ALS. She was 81 years old.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Joan was the cherished daughter of John and Fenolia Herbert and the younger sister of Johnie Herbert.

She was a proud graduate of Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth where she excelled as both an honor student and a member of ROTC. Joan earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington.

The greatest chapter of Joan’s story was her lifelong partnership with David Young, her high school sweetheart and husband of 58 years. Together they built a life rooted in adventure, laughter, and love. Their journey led the family across Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Florida, and eventually to Pecos, New Mexico.

Joan explored many interests in her life, approaching all with enthusiasm and curiosity. She was a gifted artist, a competitive tennis player, a creative cook, and avid skier and shared these interests with her family. She was a lifelong learner who found joy in studying, exploring, and mastering whatever topic piqued her interest. Wherever Joan lived, she made a home, filling gardens with flowers, decorating walls with art, and keeping kitchens warm with her cooking. Her intellectual curiosity and drive to contribute to her community were qualities that remained throughout her life. While raising her children, she served as a volunteer docent at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and earned her Master Gardener certification from the University of Florida.

Her strength was most evident in her resilience. Twenty years before her ALS diagnosis, Joan survived breast cancer, facing both challenges with strength, tenacity and courage. Through it all, her greatest joy was her family. She was endlessly proud of her children: daughters Ashley Young and Riley Young Morse (spouse Dana), and son John Young (spouse Russell King), and her granddaughters, Callan Cox and Ashton Blattler  - all of whom she loved beyond measure. She adored her brother Johnie Herbert (Glenda) and brother-in-law Sam Young (Paula) and their children and families. Especially her nephews and nieces: Brad and Shelly Herbert, and Leslie, Leah, and Dylan Young.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, her nephew Brad Herbert, her brother Johnie Herbert, and her beloved dog, Gunnar, who was always by her side. Joan’s life was one defined by curiosity, creativity, resilience, and love. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in her family and those who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Del Corazon Hospice and Scott’s House, whose caregivers are angels on earth providing extraordinary compassion and care in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s honor to Del Corazon Hospice and Scott’s House in Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter -  Causes that were especially close to her heart.

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