Sidney 'Cyd' Lee Lawson Young

Cancer took Cyd away too soon. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, wife, sister, friend, mentor, & teacher. 

Cyd was born in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in the greater Kansas City area. She attended Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, and graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She received her Masters in Art Education from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she met her husband Tom. She taught at Green Hills/Forest Park Middle School in Ohio. After Cyd and Tom married, she moved to Salt Lake City to be with him.

When she first moved to Salt Lake City, Cyd helped bring Color Radio 94.9 FM on the air. She was an administrative assistant. She then got hired at Mueller Park Junior High in Bountiful (Davis School district) and taught art there for 23 years. She received many awards from Mueller Park Junior High, Davis School District, and the Utah Art Education Association for her excellence in teaching.

She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a Philanthropic Education Organization, whose goal is to provide scholarships for continuing education for women. She was a member of Hilltop United Methodist Church.

She leaves behind her husband Tom, daughter Lacey, son-in-law Chia-Hua, grandson Roscoe, and many loved and dear cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Wilma Lawson, and her sister Judy. Cyd and her family want to thank all the people from Utah Cancer Specialists and the Radiation Oncology department at Intermountain Medical Center, the Special Care Ministry at Hilltop United Methodist Church, as well as friends, neighbors, church family, and family who were involved in her care over the last few years. 

She loved camping and hiking, anything art or craft related, dragonflies, reading, and being with her family and her friends. Think of Cyd when you see a dragonfly. Eat a lobster roll from Freshies and strawberry pie in her honor—those were her favorites. Think of her when you are creating, and when you are exploring. She is magic. She will be greatly missed. 

There will be a short memorial service followed by a celebration of life on Saturday, June 22nd, at 3:00 p.m. at Stark’s Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building. Instead of flowers, you can honor her by making a donation to your favorite charity, to PEO sisterhood at peointernational.org, or to Hilltop United Methodist Church. We would like this to feel like a celebration, so wear something that brings you joy and/or something you think Cyd would enjoy.