Kathleen Young
Kathleen Norma Adams (Young), of Herndon, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the age of 75. She was a kind, loving, and gracious wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and an amazing aunt to so many. Kathy had a warmth that drew people in. Her smile could brighten any room, her laugh was contagious, and she had a gift for making you feel seen, cared for, and loved. Her family was her greatest joy, and she never missed a chance to say how proud she was of them.
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on July 30, 1950, Kathy spent her early years helping in her parents’ grocery store, where her lifelong habit of taking care of others began. She met the love of her life, Frank, in June 1971, and they married just five months later – a partnership that lasted 55 years. They built a beautiful life together, raising three sons and eventually settling in Herndon, Virginia, in 1981, where they made countless memories and lifelong friendships.
Kathy dedicated herself to raising her three boys. In her creative spirit, started a cake-decorating and candy business, Kathy’s Cakes & Candy, which she ran from their home for many years. Once her sons were in high school, she held various positions at Herndon Middle and High Schools, where she also volunteered to support her sons’ many sporting activities and served as an assistant high school cheerleading coach. Eventually, she spent many years as an office manager at an insurance company, where her kindness and humor made work feel like family.
After retiring, Kathy found joy in scrapbooking, creating stunning keepsakes that captured the lives and milestones of her loved ones. Her happiest moments were watching people turn the pages of the books she created, smiling and remembering together. She loved spending time in her home workshop, surrounded by every imaginable scrapbooking supply. She spent countless hours crafting side by side with friends she met through the hobby. Kathy never stopped learning, growing, and connecting. Wherever she went, she built lasting friendships.
Kathy had a heart of gold. She loved music, singing, and dancing, and often spoke fondly of her time singing in a band with her best friend, Sharon. She was the life of the party and thoughtful with every detail, from decorations to her famous cocktails. She had a way of making every place feel brighter and everyone feel welcome.
Kathy leaves behind her beloved husband, Frank; her three sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Lizzie, Mike and Laura, and Tony and Kristy; six grandchildren, Abby, Emily, Christopher, Conlan, Thomas, and Brooklyn; and one great-grandchild, Scarlett. She is also survived by her brother, Jimmy Adams, and sisters-in-law, Louise Adams and Joanne Young. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Norma Adams; her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond Jr. and Anita Adams; her parents-in-law, Francis and Doris Young; her brother-in-law, Dennis Young; and her sister-in-law, Denise Young (Williams).
Kathy lived her life with love, generosity, and joy. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
A visitation will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon on Friday, November 21, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. and a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Blood Cancer United at https://bloodcancerunited.org/get-involved/ways-to-give