Helen Irene "Irene" Young (Fender)

Helen Irene (Fender Harp) Young, 87, of Holts Summit, MO, formerly of Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at her residence. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2023 at the Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to Mid America Transplant, 1110 Highlands Plaza East, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Helen was born June 30, 1935 in Independence, MO to George Edmund and Helen Irene (Layton) Fender and grew up in Independence/Kansas City, MO. Irene attended Raytown High School and received a bachelor’s in art and education from Northwest Missouri State University. She was a public art school teacher for 18 years in Florida. She was an artist, using many different mediums through the years and most recently painted, worked with different textiles and hand made books. She enjoyed reading and collecting books.

She was married to Bradford “Gene” Harp, who preceded her in death in 1978. She is survived by husband, David Young, to whom she was married for nearly forty years. She is also survived by two sons, Michael Harp (Connie Payne) of Oak Grove, MO and Bob Harp (Lori) of Independence, MO, as well as, three siblings, Laura Cartmill Cooley, Mary Bailey and Laurence Fender. She was preceded in death by her sister Nancy Best. She had three grandchildren, Sara Harp Smith (Josh), Ryan Harp (Ashley) and Tyler Harp, as well as, three great grandchildren, Beau Smith, Kepler and Aldren Harp. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)