"She led a very active life and was supported by a lot of friends," said her husband, Eric. "She lived every minute, every day she had. She was dyslexic and attended a special school in the Cincinnati school system and, consequently, she learned how to study hard and work a problem until she found the answer."

He said his wife felt that photography was a good medium to work with because of her lack of dexterity, and because she understood all its technical aspects.

She was 61 when she died of bladder cancer on Sept. 5 in Houston.

Mrs. Young was born in Cincinnati, and graduated from Woodward High School. After earning two bachelor's degrees and a master of arts from the University of Cincinnati, she became a teacher for 28 years, beginning in the Princeton School District and moving to the Northwest School District. In addition to a few years as an elementary art teacher, she taught photography and art for 20 years at Colerain High School. She retired in 1998.

She traveled extensively in North America and abroad and studied photojournalism. Her husband often traveled with her, and they combined their photos and related materials for multimedia presentations to various groups such as the International Visitors Council of Greater Cincinnati.

The Youngs traveled around Cincinnati and took photos of sculptures in Spring Grove Cemetery, downtown, and other locations. A number of her photographs are in the permanent collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum.

She was a certified Tai Chi Chuan teacher and a student of moving meditation forms.

In addition to her husband of 21 years, she is survived by a stepdaughter, Jennifer L. Taylor of Canton, Mich., and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Garden Park Unity Church, followed by a social time in the lower level of the church.

Memorials can be made in her name to the Endowment Fund, Garden Park Unity Church, 3581 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45239; the American Cancer Society, 2806 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206; or the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com