Alfreda Presutti Young

Alfreda Presutti Young, Alfie to her friends, passed away peacefully Monday, April 8, in Phoenix surrounded by family and friends at age 72.

She was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Alfredo “Fred” and Edith “Lovie” Presutti. Growing up in her grandparents’ restaurant, Presutti’s Villa, inspired her lifelong love of cooking that endeared her to family and friends.

She was raised in Upper Arlington, Ohio, and graduated St. Joseph’s Academy in 1967. She attended Columbus College of Art and Design majoring in Interior Design.

She then began working full time in the family’s restaurant where she met Jim, the love of her life, when he was hired as the “carry-out boy.” A few years later when her mother discovered their plan to hop on Jim’s Harley and elope, their parents joined them as they began their new adventure.

They were blessed with three children and family became the heart of her life. Jim’s career moved them from Columbus to Houston, Texas, and Phoenix where they settled in Fountain Hills. Although she dabbled in a few jobs throughout her life, one of her proudest achievements was helping people through the home buying process in the Somerset neighborhood in

Columbus. She made lifelong friendships while assisting families in securing a loan for their first home. When her son Jimmy started Horizon Pool Care, she took on the job of office manager and behind the scenes mentor. She subsequently branched out designing the pools and backyards that made the customer’s vision real.

She is survived by her children, Desirée (Kurtis) Hickey, Jimmy Young, and Sonny (Angela) Young; grandchildren Kylie Howard, Michael, Nicholas, Kurby, and Daphne; and beloved nephew Rocco. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents, Fred and Edith; brother, Salvatore; and daughter- in-law Kathy.

A service will be held at Messinger Mortuary, 12065 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Immediately following will be the celebration of life at the American Legion, 16837 E Parkview Ave., Fountain Hills. We will honor her wish to celebrate her love with dancing and refreshments while remembering the good times. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Research Institute at cancerresearch.org.

For our family and friends residing in Ohio, there will be a service May 25 at 10 a.m. at St. Agatha Church. This will be immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at The Old Bag of Nails, 2102 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington.