Saratoga Springs, NY - Elsie Louise (Young) Moen, known by her friends and family as “Babs”, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Elsie was born on October 6, 1949, the daughter of Thomas E. Young, Jr. and Elsie (Williams) Young. She was born in Camden, NJ, and raised in Gloucester City, NJ, graduating from Gloucester City High School in 1967. She married Joseph Moen Jr. in 1972 (divorced in 1990), and together they had four sons. Following stints in Audubon, NJ and Staten Island, NY, in 1992, Elsie moved to Saratoga Springs, NY where she resided for over 30 years. In 1994, at the age of 44, and while raising four young children, she received her Bachelor of Arts from The State University of New York at Albany.

Elsie was heavily involved and made a positive impact on the Saratoga community. She proudly served as a probation officer for Saratoga County for over 15 years, where she made many friends and made a long-lasting impression on both her colleagues and local residents. She often volunteered her time, providing phone support to local domestic violence victims and pitching in at Habitat for Humanity worksites. She was an active participant in local civic life, lending her time and energy to the Saratoga Democratic Committee and encouraging others to stay engaged and involved in their community. Elsie was a long-time parishioner of the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs and took part in many Church initiatives for those in need, whether it was collecting food, clothing, or Christmas toys.

In 2012, Elsie faced a courageous battle with cancer—and she won. That victory gave her a renewed lease on life, a second chance she never took for granted. She was profoundly grateful for the years that followed, years that allowed her to be present for so much: watching her children build families of their own, welcoming grandchildren into the world, and sharing countless moments with friends and the people she loved. That time became a gift she embraced fully, filling it with joy, connection, and the things that brought her the most happiness.

Elsie was kind, funny, outgoing, and independent. She was effortlessly entertaining and had many interests and talents. She was a lifelong learner and avid reader of historical works; her favorite authors included Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ron Chernow, and Jane Austin. A true social butterfly, she thrived in the company of others and always prioritized the people she loved. In her healthier days, Babs was in her element whenever she could gather friends and family around her. Her friends and family will always remember her joyous laughter at gatherings that matched her sense of humor and quirky personality. Whether it was hosting a simple backyard get-together, or a special holiday, she loved entertaining. She took pride in her ever-growing collection of festive dinnerware and holiday-themed decor for everything from the Fourth of July to Christmas and Halloween. Her creativity didn’t stop at her décor - she was always her own person, with a style that was unmistakably hers—often seen in floppy hats, heart‑shaped sunglasses, and jewelry chosen to match every outfit. Wherever she went, Elsie brought color, warmth, and a spark of light that was uniquely her.

Most of all, Elsie was a dedicated and loving mother to her four sons, Michael, David, Joseph, and William. Over the years, she could often be seen by their side at innumerable sporting events, Boy Scout camps, social gatherings, and would even drop in while her boys were working at local establishments. Despite the many challenges of raising four boys, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children and instilled a sense of adventure by taking them on numerous family trips or to see culturally significant places, including the Grand Canyon, the Liberty Bell, Washington DC, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, Cape Cod, Acadia National Park, Niagara Falls, Mexico, and many summers spent in Ocean City, NJ. She was especially fond of their 1988 road trip to Florida in her Chevy Chevette hatchback.

Just as she poured her heart into raising her sons with unwavering care and support, that same love continued on to her thirteen grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored. She was always eager to be part of their lives, however she could, from cheering at sporting events, attending school activities, and celebrating every milestone. Being present for them brought her immense joy, and she embraced her role as a grandmother with the same devotion, pride, and nurturing spirit that defined her throughout her life.

Elsie is survived by her three sons; David J. Moen (Jennifer) of Saratoga Springs, NY, Joseph T. Moen (Molly) of Cambridge, MA, William J. Moen (Kayla) of Springfield, PA; her thirteen beloved grandchildren; John, Chase, Trevor, Parker, Shane, Jack, Penelope, Asher, Charlotte, Gavin, Robert, Michael Patrick, and Landon; her brother Thomas E. Young III, sister-in-law Joanne Young, sister Mary Dale, and many other relatives, including her cherished cousin, Valita Bee. While Elsie had many cherished friends, her family wishes to thank her friends Kathleen DeJesus, Joelle Bolam, Pankaj Dave, Marcy Taylor, Sharon Boyd, and Gilda Blair for their unwavering devotion, support, and friendship over the years. The family would also like to acknowledge Michelle Capilli, whose loving, caring, and consistently connected relationship with Elsie meant a great deal.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents Thomas E. Young, Jr. and Elsie (Williams) Young, her oldest son, Michael R. Moen, and brother James V. Young.

Relative and friends may call 4 to 7pm Thursday March 19, 2026 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am Friday March 20 at the historic Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donations in her memory be made to Wellsprings @ www.wellspringcares.org.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.