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How did Wanda Young die? The Marvelettes singer and Motown hitmaker dies at 78

Fans of the 'Please Mister Postman' hitmaker poured in their tributes to the legendary icon, as they remembered her indelible contribution to '60s music

Singer Wanda Young, known for being the lead vocalist of the famous musical trio 'The Marvelettes', has tragically died at the age of 78. She died at her home more than two weeks ago on December 15, but the news of her passing was confirmed on December 25 by her daughter Meta Ventress. Fans of the 'Please Mister Postman' hitmaker poured in their tributes to the legendary icon, as they remembered her indelible contribution to '60s music. 

Wanda Young's tragic death comes amid the holiday season, on the heels of the deaths of Kentucky Bluegrass legend JD Crowe, as well as Detroit Tigers coach Kimera Bartee. While Bartee, a well-revered first base coach, died at the age of 49, Crowe passed away at 84 years of age. The Christmas week was also rattled by the untimely death of writer Joan Didion's daughter Quintana Roo Dune at 39 years of age.  

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Wanda LaFaye Young, who was also known by her aliases Wanda Rogers or Wanda Young Rogers, died in Garden City, Michigan. She was reportedly suffering from complications with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at the time of her death. 

Young, who was born and raised in Michigan, originally wanted to be a nursing professional. However, her musical career kicked off suddenly after she auditioned for a spot left by Georgia Dobbins in the musical group The Marvels, which later came to be known as The Marvelettes. 

Young was best known for her classic rendition of 'Please Mr. Postman', a song written by Dobbins. Soon after its release, the song became a chart-topper and Motown's first No 1 pop single. For seven weeks, the song rated at the top on Billboard's R&B chart. The song was further popularized later when the Beatles recorded the same for their second studio album.

Later, Young also enthralled fans with her songs like 'So Long, Baby', 'Locking Up My Heart', and 'Too Many Fish in the Sea'. She is also known for other classic hits like 'Don't Mess with Bill',  'The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game', 'When You're Young and in Love', 'I'll Keep Holding On and 'My Baby Must Be a Magician.'

In her personal life, Young was married to Robert 'Bobby' Rogers for over a decade and shared two children with him. She was a resident of her birthplace Inkster at the time of her death is survived by her children. Meanwhile, hundreds of fans took to social media to lament the death of their favorite icon.  

"We are so saddened by the news of Wanda Young of the Marvelettes passing. What an impact she has had on the world of Classic Motown and the lives of so many. Her legacy will continue to live on, Classic Motown tweeted.