SEU Honors Alumna Constance Young ’49 for a Lifetime of Service and Leadership

A World War II Navy veteran and trailblazing community leader, Young was recognized for her extraordinary contributions to education, civic life, and the arts.

Generations of family, friends, and community leaders gathered at Saint Elizabeth University’s Annunciation Center on November 2, 2026, to honor Constance “Connie” Young ’49, whose 105 years of life reflect a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and perseverance.

The special reception brought together University leadership, public officials, military representatives, and Connie’s family to recognize an alumna whose contributions span military service during World War II, advocacy for women’s education, and decades of civic and cultural leadership.

At the heart of the gathering was Connie’s family, many of whom traveled from across the country to celebrate her remarkable life. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren joined her for the occasion, reflecting a family legacy that now includes 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Their presence offered a personal reminder of the generations touched by Connie’s example.

A legacy of service and leadership

Connie’s story began long before her years at Saint Elizabeth. During World War II, she enlisted in the United States Navy as a member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She served as a captain’s yeoman at Hunter College boot camp and later contributed to an anti-submarine missile project with the Navy’s Bureau of Ordnance.

After the war, Connie and her late husband, Roger, settled in Montclair, New Jersey, where they raised four children. While raising her family, she earned her degree in economics from Saint Elizabeth University in 1949, demonstrating a commitment to education that would remain a defining feature of her life.

That commitment extended well beyond the classroom. Connie served as president of the College Women’s Club of Montclair, co-chaired its longstanding used book and music sale, and spent six years as vice president of the New Jersey Division of the American Association of University Women, advancing educational opportunities for women.

She also held leadership positions with the Garden Club of Montclair, the Verona Garden Club, and the State Board of Garden Clubs of New Jersey. Her dedication to the arts included 12 years on the staff of the Montclair Art Museum.

Through these roles, Connie helped strengthen the institutions and community organizations that enrich civic life and create opportunities for others.

A family gathered across generations

The reception was, above all, a celebration of the family Connie and Roger built together. Her children Peter Young, Lynn Davis, and Bill Young attended with family members, alongside daughter-in-law Jane Young. Grandchildren and their spouses, including Constance and Matt Rader, Erin and Joe Wallbusser, and Blair and Dallas Hinkhouse, joined other members of the extended family for the occasion.

Several great-grandchildren also attended, bringing another generation into a celebration of Connie’s enduring influence. The gathering underscored how her legacy extends beyond her professional and civic accomplishments to the family relationships and values she has nurtured over a lifetime.

Honors recognizing an extraordinary life

University President Gary B. Crosby, Ph.D., welcomed guests, while Provost Anthony Santamaria recognized Connie’s contributions to education, community leadership, and the arts. Public officials and military representatives joined University leaders in presenting a series of honors recognizing her patriotism and lifelong service.

Among the recognitions presented were:

• Congressional Citation: Issued by Rep. Analilia Mejia honoring Connie’s lifetime of civic engagement and patriotism.

• New Jersey Governor’s Citation: Issued by Governor Mikie Sherrill in recognition of Connie’s service as a World War II veteran, civic leadership, and lifelong advocacy for education and the arts.

• New Jersey State Citation: Read and presented by State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Asw. Aura K. Dunn.

• Military Tribute: Navy officers from Naval Weapons Station Earle presented Connie with an American flag that had been flown for 105 consecutive minutes in advance of the event.

The flag presentation offered a particularly poignant connection to Connie’s wartime service, bringing together her history as a Navy veteran and the nation's recognition of her contributions.

An enduring example for future generations

Now residing at Crane’s Mill in West Caldwell, Connie remains active in exercise, writing groups, pottery, and other creative pursuits. She continues to demonstrate the intellectual curiosity, independence, and engagement that have characterized her life.

For Saint Elizabeth University, the reception was an opportunity to celebrate more than an alumna’s longevity. Connie represents a generation of women who expanded opportunities through education, served their country during a defining moment in history, and strengthened their communities through sustained leadership.

More than 75 years after graduating from Saint Elizabeth, Connie continues to embody the University’s enduring commitment to education, leadership, and service. Her remarkable life — and the generations of family and community members gathered to honor her — stands as a testament to the lasting impact one person can make.