Hands that Colored the World

Your hands told stories no words could say,

Shaping beauty from night and day.

Of the gentle magic within your heart,

You colored with Love into all you made;

A legacy that will never fade.

Gertrude “Gert” Griswold Youngs, age 87, of Penn Yan, NY, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and is eternally resting in the castle in the sky. She was surrounded by her sister Joyce, who held her hand as went on to her new journey in the sky. Gert entered the Castle with her beloved ones that had been waiting for her to join them with open arms. Gert is predeceased by her parents, Harry and Estina May (Crozier) Griswold; her children, Georgie, Joyce Ann, and Mary Ellen; sisters, Sylvia Barr and Ann Kolb; and brothers, Harry Griswold, Kenny Griswold and Charles Griswold. Gert will be watching surviving loved ones, including her 6 loving children, Marlene Wheeler, Gordon Harris, Shelia Bates Booth, Henry Divens and Chrystal Youngs; sisters, Joyce (Griswold) Stryker and Estina Bronchetti; brothers, Chester Griswold and Jerry Griswold; 10 grandchildren, Tera Smithmen , Gordon Hickey, Shane Wheeler, Becky Tara, Collin J. Divens, Sarah L. Divens, Samantha N. Divens, Courtnie Renee Harris, Mike Harris and Conrad Harris; 8 great-grandchildren; along with 20 nieces and nephews.

Gert lived in Bath, NY for many years then moved to Elmira. Later in life, she moved to Dresden, NY, so she could spend the rest of her days with her sister Joyce. She was a Member of the Dresden Fire Dept. Auxiliary, and while living in Dresden, she attended the Dresden United Methodist Church. When she moved to Penn Yan, she was an active member of the Penn Yan Baptist Church. Gert loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and her beloved cats. She loved her necklace sand rings and painting her fingernails. She also enjoyed doing lots of coloring and crafts. She will be missed by all. God be with you Gert, and rest in Peace.

A memorial service for Gert will be announced late January of 2026. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dresden Fire Dept. Auxiliary, Penn Yan Baptist Church, or the Yates County Humane Society for all the homeless cats. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, Penn Yan, NY. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com