Obituary of Kaylan Young
February 28, 2024
Kaylan Nicole Young
Kaylan Nicole Young passed away on February 28, 2024 at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. Kaylan was born July 6,1998 in Santa Monica, California. Kaylan is survived by their parents, Robert Young and Carolyn Tastad, sibling, Morgan Young (and Jackson Pfeiffer), grandmother, Martha Tastad, aunts and uncles (Kate Young, Ruth Young, Janet Young and Jeremy Kramer, Marla Calderwood, Bev Tastad and Archie Gee, Allyn and Pattie Tastad) and cousins (Taylor and Brooklyn, Kara and Ceena, Michael and Amy, Mike). Kaylan was predeceased by grandparents, Ernest Young and Byron Tastad and uncle, Jim Young. Kaylan also leaves behind a number of dear friends who they loved with their whole heart. And, finally, Kaylan was the proud parent of their beloved cats, Agatha and Margot, who brought them tremendous joy and a little bit of mischief.
Kaylan received their life-changing diagnosis of endometrial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, in December 2021. They endured countless cycles of chemotherapy, a handful of minor surgical procedures and two life-saving emergency surgeries. They lost their hair three times. Every day Kaylan made the choice to keep going. They managed the fear, hope, disappointment and loneliness of this terrible disease; and they continued to laugh, to smile and to feel joy.
Kaylan earned their Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Art History, at Barnard College at University of Columbia in New York. While at Barnard, Kaylan made lifelong friends, and sang with the Metrotones - an a capella group. The time at Barnard cemented their love for New York. Kaylan lived in many places across the US, Canada and Switzerland – but picked New York as their home and proclaimed they were never leaving the city. They loved their morning coffee from B-cup Café and enjoyed thrifting from the eclectic shops in the East Village.
Kaylan was an artist. During university and after, Kaylan taught art at a private studio. They loved art in many forms; they were a gifted painter, played around with clay, loved to do their makeup (the more dramatic the better) and got tremendous joy from their personal canvass of tattoos – the crow on their head, the fairy on their temple, their unicorn, their sharks, the many astrology-inspired crabs and scorpions, and more.
Kaylan loved astrology and cited it as the explanation and truth for many a question. They loved queer culture and being part of the queer community. They enjoyed puzzles – from the morning Wordle and Connections – to jigsaw puzzles, which Kaylan would assemble with uncanny speed. They were obsessed with horror movies – all kinds of horror movies. Perhaps this was partly inspired by their love of Halloween which they celebrated with full commitment. Many of these loves, Kaylan shared with Morgan. The two were in constant communication and the closest of friends.
Kaylan was an extraordinarily strong, intelligent, beautiful and empathetic person. They had a razor-sharp wit and were a master of one-liners, delivered with subtlety and precision. Some people are destined to lead long lives but they never impact anyone and leave almost nothing behind. Others, like Kaylan, are taken away far, far too soon – but they profoundly touch everyone around them – and will never, ever be forgotten.
The family has chosen to have a private memorial service to celebrate Kaylan’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org) or a cancer charity of your choice.
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Dear Carolyn and Robert. Marie and I share our deepest condolences on the passing of your daughter Kaylan. May she forever rest in peace. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Your friends from Canada, Marie & Eugene
Posted by: Eugene and Marie Dubejsky - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friend March 6, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert and Morgan - sending heartfelt condolences for the loss of this beautiful soul Kaylan. There are no words - keeping you in my prayers .
Posted by: Sandra Kabat - Toronto, Ontario - Acquaintance March 6, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert, Morgan and family: Alicia and I send our deepest condolences for the loss of Kaylan. May all the special memories and immense love for Kaylan provide some comfort and peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ron & Alicia
Posted by: Ron Marcella - Richmond Hill, Ontario - Friend March 6, 2024
Carolyn and Robert, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your lovely daughter Kaylan. My heart goes out to you and your family. Please know that your Canadian family is praying for you all. Kindest regards, Lois
Posted by: Lois Bruce - Vancouver, BC - Friend March 6, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert, Morgan, Jackson and the Young and Tastad families, Chris and I are deeply sorry for your loss. Although words will not take away the grief you feel from Kaylan’s passing, may the beautiful memories of Kaylan bring comfort to you and your families during this trying time. As you grieve, please know that we are thinking of you and Kaylan. Much love, MB (Maribeth) and Chris Koester
Posted by: MB (Maribeth) Koester - Toronto, Ontario - Friend March 6, 2024
Dear Carolyn and Robert, Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your daughter Kaylyn. Know that you have many friends from P&G Canada and we are all behind you. We wish you the very best going forward. Yong Quek Yong Quek
Posted by: Yong Quek - Toronto, Ontario - Friend March 6, 2024
Carolyn and Robert, I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful Kaylan. My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Karen
Posted by: Karen O\'Driscoll - MARKHAM, ON - Friend March 8, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert and Morgan Sending love and hugs to you all with the loss of Kaylan. Her obituary personified a brave, strong, loving and creative soul. May you find comfort in your memories, each other and God's everloving arms.
Posted by: Barb Bristow Martens - Loreburn, SASK. - Friend March 7, 2024
Dear Carolyn and Robert, Our deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved Kaylan. Although we did not know them, they were obviously a bright, shining star in lives of everyone they touched. May the countless memories of warm embraces, laughs shared and precious family times together bring you comfort in the days and weeks ahead. We wish you strength and courage and are keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Sam and Linda Ishak/Barghoorn - Toronto, Ontario - Friend March 7, 2024
Dear Robert and Carolyn, So very sorry to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. From reading about Kaylan, it is clear that they have left a positive legacy. Gary and Michele Gallant
Posted by: Gary Gallant - Mississauga, ON - Coworker March 7, 2024
Sending our deepest sympathy, Carolyn, Robert and Morgan. Thinking of you during this extremely difficult time. Sympathies to Mrs. Tastad, Bev and Archie, and Al and Patty and their family
Posted by: Greg and Shantel Bristow - Strongfield, SK, - Friend March 7, 2024
dear Carolyn, Robert and Morgan. We are heartbroken by the loss of Kaylan. We send you our deepest condolences in this immense moment of sadness. May Kaylan rest in peace in heaven and in your loving heart. As you grieve, please know that we are there, thinking of you and praying for you all. With all our love! Bea and Pierre Yves
Posted by: beatrice dupuy - veyrier, Switzerland - Friend March 10, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert and Morgan. I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful daughter Kalyan. May all the wonderful memories bring you comfort and peace at this very difficult time. Sending hugs to all.
Posted by: Sue Boetti - Scarborough , Ontario - Coworker March 10, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert and Morgan. We are thinking of you so much in those incredibly difficult times and sending you our deepest condolences. Kaylan was a sunshine in life and may they rest in peace in heaven. Be sure that we are here for you, supporting you with our prayers and love.
Posted by: Bea Dupuy - Veyrier, Switzerland - Friend March 15, 2024
Dear Carolyn, Robert, Morgan and the Tastad and Young families It is with sadness that we hear of Kaylan's passing. What a loss of such a beautiful, strong, creative soul! We stand with you and your family as you grieve. May you find joy, peace and comfort in your shared memories. May God bless you all!
Posted by: Jim Kerney Family - formerly of Loreburn, Sask - Family Friend March 27, 2024