By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson/Marlborough – Contributions are being accepted for the Madi and Chase Fund for the teenage children of Maureen (Chiasson) Young of Hudson, who passed away unexpectedly June 9 at age 49. Young is remembered as a Marlborough-based?real estate broker associate with a knack for networking whose business contacts frequently became fast friends. Those friends became accustomed to seeing her at various fundraisers and community events in Hudson and Marlborough.
The fund was started by Kathleen Goneau, who also works in the realty industry.
“Maureen gave her whole life serving others,” she said. “The word we heard at the service was “selfless.” You can also see that attitude in her kids. The goal of the fund is to help provide her children with the transition from finishing school to becoming working adults.”
Among the causes Young advocated was Greater Marlborough Programs, Inc. (GMPI), an agency that helps people with developmental disabilities learn to help themselves. Michelle Lariviere, a program director, often saw Young visiting Billy Corrieri at a GMPI group home.
“Maureen was a part of Billy's life for many years,” she explained. “She's watch him skate for the Special Olympics and go to other events with him. She's bring her kids and then everyone at the agency got to know them, too. She's also bring Billy to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. Maureen was his extended family.”
Lariviere considers the Young children to be related as extended family with the community.
“Now, it's our time to give back to her family,” she said. “We want her kids to know that their mother was loved very much and they are, too.”
Chris Yates, a Hudson-based attorney, met Young through business groups. They became better acquainted through civic and volunteer organizations.
“Maureen could connect with anybody,” he said. “If you told her that you needed something, she's try to help you or she knew somebody else who could.”
Yates remembers Young's consistent involvement with the Evening of Giving to benefit Roland's House, formerly known as the Marlborough-Hudson Homeless Shelter. He also observed her loyally participating in a fundraiser held in memory of his sister-in-law, the Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation Walk.
“It was very heartwarming to see her every year at a benefit for a disease that took a close family member of mine,” he said. “Maureen was always there for our community and now we need to be there for her family through this fund.”
Hudson resident Emily Greenwood, a Marlborough business owner, met Young at a networking event of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC).
“Maureen always rolled up her sleeves and worked at the chamber's cookout,” she recalled. “And whether on the committee or not, she was always at every charitable event or telling people about it.”
Greenwood pledged to support the Madi and Chase Fund.
“Anything we can do to help will be a nice reflection of what Maureen brought to this world,” she said.
Nanci Bishop, a Hudson-based insurance agent, also met Young at a MRCC networking event.
“People gravitated to her,” Bishop noted. “She had communities in Hudson, Marlborough, her real estate people and her family. Her life mission was to make sure that everybody in her communities always looked out for each other. Unwittingly, she taught us how to do that.”
Bishop feels that the lesson learned should be applied to the fund.
“Every little bit will help,” she said. “It's set up so that it will go directly to Madi and Chase.”
Donations in memory of Young can be sent to the Madi and Chase Fund, c/o AM Lourens, Avidia Bank, 42 Main St., Hudson, Mass. 01749.