JAYNE MANSFIELD YOUNG

Jayne Mansfield Young, the youngest child of Bill and Kitty Mansfield of Tuff, Texas, was born on Pearl Harbor Day, 1954. Her mom, Kitty, loved Jayne Meadows’ name and never dreamt the attention it would bring her daughter throughout her lifetime. Jayne laughingly said it was both a blessing and a curse to share her name with a Hollywood star as she had no chance for anonymity, wherever she traveled. But those of us who knew and loved our Jayne Mansfield from the Texas Hill Country understand well that her lack of anonymity had more to do with her own charm and charisma than the fact that she shared her name with a Hollywood star.

Jayne’s younger years were spent in Tuff and Medina where her family first discovered little Jaynie was destined to be a star pupil. Although Jayne began her academic adventure in Medina schools, she graduated from Bandera High because her family relocated during the last years of her high school career. Where many would have been stifled by this sudden move, Jayne thrived academically and athletically. Friendly and fun loving, even after an abrupt relocation and graduation from a new school, Jayne maintained close friendships with both groups of fellow students for the rest of her life. Jayne’s next stop found her in Tsaile, Arizona where she excelled both academically and athletically at Navajo Community College (NCC). While pursuing her love for art, Jayne studied silversmithing and honed her skills at jewelry craftmanship. Young and athletic, Jayne also served as team captain for the women’s basketball team while studying at NCC. Jayne developed her love for jewelry while spending endless hours playing with the glass jewels her mom used in her role as screen printer and jeweler for Collins of Texas. This early exposure to jewelry instilled in Jayne a desire to one day have ‘the real thing’. And we all know that what Jaynie wanted, Jaynie got.

But we all know Jayne was determined to work hard to realize her goals. After leaving NCC, Jayne found herself searching for a job in her new hometown of Austin, Texas. Young and determined, Jayne secured a job as the first female telephone lineman for Ma Bell (AT&T) and of course made the newspapers another time, both for her gender and once again, for her name. But Jayne wasn’t just learning a new trade in Austin, she was also exploring a new sport as well. This time, Jayne’s athletic abilities would be channeled through body building and weightlifting. Winning trophies and statewide recognition, the newspaper clippings and adulation continued, and our Jayne Mansfield became a star in this area, too.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Jayne began to explore a new career. This time, it was in real estate management. Amazingly, this career move introduced Jayne to the love of her life – international travel. Determined to see what else the world had to offer this smalltown Texas girl, Jayne never shied away from an opportunity to get another stamp on her passport regardless of risks or travel advisories. Although Jayne began her international travel in Beirut, Lebanon, she went on to visit many continents. And charismatic as she was, Jayne even convinced her mother and siblings to join her in some of these adventures around the world. And though she began her love affair with Africa alone on her 40th Birthday when she treated herself to an African safari, Jayne would soon re-encounter her soul mate who would share her love for this continent and its people. They would set out to explore the world together.

Indeed, it was Jayne’s love for travel and flying that brought her and Dr. Stephen Young, her husband of twenty-six years, back on the same path. Kindred spirits, Jayne and Stephen enjoyed many global adventures together. From island-hopping around the Caribbean with Stephen at the helm to the much-loved underwater scuba excursions where Jayne and Stephen found perfect Mabe pearls, Jayne was no longer alone on her journey to conquer the world. In fact, it was on their many underwater excursions that Jayne finally fulfilled her childhood vow to replace her glass jewels with ‘the real thing’ because she and Stephen amassed a fine collection of Mabe pearls. Always one for humor, this collection eventually led to Jayne’s birthday being lovingly referred to as “Pearl Hoarder Day” instead.

As much as Jayne loved to travel, she loved the new people she encountered even more. Even as a child, Jayne had a heart for the underprivileged and was touched by the poverty suffered by those she met along the way. She and Stephen shared this desire. Together, through the generous sharing of their resources, they were able to help a Tanzanian family thrive. Always known for her wit and sense of humor characteristic of a Mansfield Clan member, Jayne joyfully shared with others that her adopted family in Africa loved her so much they named a goat after her! As was Jayne’s way, she and Stephen remained long-distance friends with this beloved family even after they were no longer able to travel back for a visit. But a goat with her name wasn’t the only badge Jayne took from her trips to Africa, she also successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro during one of her trips there – it was a feat she was determined to realize once she spotted this massive mountain from the homestead of her adopted African family. Intrigued by a desire to film yet another of her infamous travel documentaries, Jayne vowed to climb this mountain while filming it just because she knew she could. And she was right! Albeit it required many trips, huffing and puffing up and down the canyons of Cat Mountain, where she had built her first home in Austin several decades before. But in true Jayne Mansfield style, she accomplished this task too.

Indeed, Jayne’s worldly accolades are many. She lived an extraordinary life of adventure and was a witty woman who lit up the room with her charming personality. Jayne faithfully filled many roles throughout her lifetime with grace and style. As much as the world admired our Jayne Mansfield for her courage and adventure, her family treasured her as a loyal sister to her own adoring siblings and an amazing, fun-loving aunt to her admiring nieces and nephews. Jayne’s family will forever remember our Jayne for her hearty laughter, her beautiful smile and unparalleled hospitality. The Mansfield Clan’s memories of Jayne will include evenings gathered around the kitchen table where we enjoyed much laughter over pans of Meemaw-style cornbread, hazels and endless pots of warm beans.

Though November 2, 2022 marks and end of an era when Jayne Mansfield Young passed quietly from this world, those who loved and were loved by her will carry her memory in our hearts until we meet again someday. To honor our Jayne Mansfield’s memory, may we vow to be hospitable, charitable, fun-loving and adventure-seeking like our very own Jayne Mansfield who made her mark on this world simply by loving well. Jane is preceded in death by her Father, Bill Mansfield, Her mother, Kitty Mansfield and her Brother Keith Mansfield. She is survived by her sister, Kye Mansfield; her brother, Othro Mansfield; sister in law, Jeanne Mansfield; and slew nephews, nieces and cousins.

Private interment will be Monday, December 19, 2022, in Bandera.