Phillipa Mendez Young

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Phillipa Mendez Young, who departed this world on September 22, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Phillipa was born on January 21, 1935, in Victoria, Texas, to Jose and Guadalupe Mendez. Phillipa Young was a remarkable woman whose life was a testament to love, compassion, and unwavering strength and dedication to our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Phillipa was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Reed Young, after 59 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her beloved infant son, Douglas Young, her loving daughter, Beverly Young, and her precious daughter-in-law, Elena Young. She was also preceded in death by sisters Mary Dawson, Grace Estrada, and Delores Gonzalez, as well as brothers Mike Mendez and Romeo Mendez. Phillipa is survived by her three sons, Robert Young, David Young, and James “Rusty” Young, all of whom will carry forward her memory with love and gratitude. She is also survived by her brothers, Daniel Mendez, Gus Mendez, and Joe Mendez, her beloved sister, Rosary Contreras; and sisters-in-law, Lee Mendez, Carol Ann Mendez, and Alma Mendez. Phillipa is also survived by her grandchildren, Grace Young; Shane Young, his wife Megan, and their children, Kiyari Ann Young and Kion Reed Young; Brooke Young and her children, Jackson Young and Leandra Young; Rodney Hall and his son, Declan Hall; Kelsey Rath, her husband, Richard, and their children Kasey Rath, Jaxson Rath, Emma Rose Rath & Adalyn Rath; Abigail Coats, her husband, Austin, and their infant son, Aaron Coats; Joseph Young; Jonathan Young and his children, Jonathan Young Jr., and Christian Young; Gloria Garza, her husband, Sergio, and their children, Lourdes Garza and Zoe Garza; Veronica Luna; Madison Plata; and Bailey Young, as well as numerous, wonderful nieces and nephews that she loved greatly. Phillipa was raised in Bay City, Texas and graduated from Bay City High School. While working at Etie’s Café and Confectionary in Bay City, she met a customer who would become the love of her life, Richard Young, whom she wed in 1954. While raising her 4 children, Phillipa returned to school to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Houston – Downtown. Phillipa started her teaching career with HISD as a home-bound teacher. She then moved on to teaching at Red Elementary, Grissom Elementary and several other schools in the Houston area. At this time, she also enrolled in graduate school at night at the University of Houston – Clear Lake, earning her Master’s Degree in Education Administration in 1980. She then worked as an Assistant Principal at Elrod Elementary before accepting a Principal position at Briscoe Elementary. Briscoe was a troubled school in great need of a tough, problem-solver like Phillipa. Phillipa never approached a problem without first putting it in God’s hands. She was blessed to surround herself with excellent and dedicated teachers, staff, volunteers, and community leaders. With their help and God’s blessing, she turned Brisco into an award-winning school. As if not busy enough, her devotion to children continued when at this time she opened Stafford Education Center, a Montessori school located in Stafford, Texas. She would leave early each morning to help open the center, go to her Principal job at Briscoe, then return to the center in the evenings to help close up. Her success at turning Briscoe around caught the attention of many. The HISD Superintendent at the time asked her if she would be interested in turning around another troubled school, Rusk Elementary. Once again, she prayed about it and decided to accept the challenge. She was blessed to have many of her finest teachers and staff from Briscoe follow her over to Rusk. After many uphill battles, she was able to turn Rusk into an award-winning school as well. Rusk, along with Barbara Bush elementary, was selected to receive $50,000 for new computers for the students. The funds were raised by golf tournaments held by the George H. W. Bush Secret Service Detail. Mother had the great honor of sitting at the head table with First Lady Barbara Bush for a luncheon and a check presentation from President George H.W. Bush. To this day, she never learned who nominated her school for the computers, but she spent the rest of her life thanking God for another blessing that helped her school children so much. Also at this time, one of her young teachers, Chris Barbic approached her about a pilot project he had for a charter school called Yes Prep. Mother agreed to help him get it off the ground and now, 25 years later, Yes Prep continues to be an award-winning charter school with locations all over Houston. Though never her goal, her ability to turn around troubled schools not only earned her local recognition in the Houston Chronicle, but a 3-page cover story was written about her and her journey in Education Week Magazine. She even had the honor of meeting with then-Governor George Bush at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Texas. After nearly 40 years at HISD, Phillipa finally decided to retire. However, she came out of retirement several times at the request of the HISD Superintendent to serve as interim Principal at several schools until a permanent replacement could be found. It was at this time, C.E.P., a private education corporation approached her about becoming a principal at one of their local alternative schools. They had heard of her stellar reputation and read various articles on her success and felt she would be a perfect fit for their new school in Houston. Once again, she prayed about it and decided to try it for 1 year. She stayed for 10 years, holding positions as Principal and then Community Liaison. Halfway through her tenure at C.E.P., she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was blessed to have so many supportive people in her life and was especially grateful she was able to continue working at C.E.P. while undergoing cancer treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Through the grace of God, she was able to win her battle with breast cancer. Phillipa eventually retired from C.E.P. and threw herself full-time into organizations she loved best, those that helped children. Phillipa was a long-time member of L.U.L.A.C. Council 60, a great supporter and backer of the Pancho Claus Arts Project, a member of Hispanic Women in Leadership, Kappa Kappa Gamma, a volunteer committee member for Houston Children’s Charity, a volunteer for many political campaigns throughout Houston, and a devoted supporter of our military and first-responders. In 2014, Phillipa lost her beloved husband, Richard, after a lengthy illness. Soon after, her loving daughter, Beverly, passed away unexpectedly. Tragedy would continue for her when her beloved daughter-in-law, Elena, passed away in January of 2015. Always a faithful servant of our Lord, Phillipa could be found most Wednesday and Saturday nights at her beloved Lakewood Church, singing and praising God. If you were ever near her, you undoubtedly received a sprinkling of Holy Water from her, whether you knew it or not. She also loved spending time with friends and family. She never passed up an opportunity to enjoy a nice, cold margarita with those close to her while discussing the days current events. On a warm afternoon, you could find her on her front porch, talking with passing neighbors, enjoying a sweet tea, and admiring the beauty of the passing clouds. Phillipa was eternally grateful for all the blessings in her life. Her journey through this life was made much easier by her faith in God, as well as by all the faithful friends, coworkers, and family who supported her along the way. The Young family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the friends and extended family members who have provided their support during this difficult time. We would also like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to all those that did so much for our mother throughout the years. Your love and support were never forgotten by her and will never be forgotten by us. You are all in our thoughts and prayers, as you were in hers. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you and your loved ones each and every day. Services will be livestreamed Here: https://www.mdumc.org/phillipayoung?rq=young

Phillipa Mendez Young

January 21, 1935 - September 22, 2023