Kathleen Kae Young

Kathleen Louise (Kae) Young passed away on June 21, 2026 at the age of 71 at her home in Lowville, NY. Whether you knew her as Kae Young, Kae Newman, or Kathy Ward, you knew a person whose life was dedicated to service and storytelling.

Kae's career in broadcast journalism (WTVH, WSTM, WSYR, WWNY) was bookended by a four-year enlistment in the United States Navy as a recent high school graduate and an award-winning tenure in the Public Affairs Office at Fort Drum, from which she retired in 2019. Her experiences in the news media community included time as an on-air reporter and an assignment editor, but she truly thrived at Fort Drum, where she liaised with local media, produced video content for DrumTV, and regaled visitors with stories of the installation's history during public tours.

Outside of work, Kae filled her life with gardening, kayaking, racquetball, and photography. She loved Motown, police procedurals, and her dog, Charlie. She talked her way out of more than one speeding ticket, and when she needed free swag or a prize donation for an event, she’d flash a smile and it would get loaded into her wagon. She was the life of every party but was just as happy doing a puzzle and drinking a Diet Coke.

Kae is survived by a wealth of family and friends, including her husband, Mike; children Angela and Erica (Nathaniel); stepchildren Matt (Lydia), Mollie (Paul), Meredith (AJ), and Emily; siblings Cindi (Jim), Sammi (David), David (Debbie), Sue (Frank), Bob (Sally), and Laurie; mother Fran; many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren; newsroom buddies, wine night pals, and dog moms. She is predeceased by her father Trick and brother Mike (Dianne).

Calling hours will be held in Lowville on Friday, June 26 at Sundquist Funeral Home from 4-7pm. A celebration of life will be held in Syracuse on Friday, July 10, from 4-8pm at Onondaga Lake Park’s Willow Bay Shelter. In lieu of flowers, bring your favorite stories about Kae.