Note: A memorial celebrating Jane Gentile-Youd’s life is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE.
Jane Gentile-Youd, the two-time Flagler County Commission candidate, the title holder for most frequent public speaker at the commission for the past quarter century, and one of the most caustic, testy, daring, disparaging, humorous, merciless, tenacious, harassing, irritating, colorful, generous, vindictive, unforgiving, forgiving, big-hearted and civic-minded citizens in recent memory, died Thursday at a local hospital. She was 82.
She had been struggling with health challenges for many years, particularly with her heart. It had never stopped her as she trundled her oxygen tank wherever she went, continued to drive, and continued to be an almost unfailing and active presence at County Commission meetings and at the Flagler Tiger Bay Club, where her frail voice managed to convulse every eardrum at Q&A time no matter how far back in the room she may have been seated.
“It was an honor to run alongside Jane for the District 4 seat on the Flagler County Commission,” Commission Chair Leann Pennington said this morning. “Believe it or not, Jane and I saw eye to eye on many issues. Her tenacity and spirit will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Jane , you always gave Flagler County one hell of a fight.”
Gentile-Youd, a real estate broker by profession, first ran in 2018. She’d been attending County Commission meetings since 2002, when she and her husband Mark left Miami and bought their Plantation Bay house.
Her opponent in 2018 was Joe Mullins. Had voters known what a catastrophic commissioner Mullins would become, either Gentile-Youd would have won in the general election (she ran as an independent) or then-incumbent Nate McLaughlin would, for all his flaws, have defeated Mullins in the primary. But Mullins had money: he spent $154,000, an unprecedented sum for a commission seat, to McLaughlin’s $21,700 and Gentile-Youd’s $10,600, he benefited from the fibrous obscurity of a carpetbagger tonguing slick salesmanship, and won.
Pennington dispatched Mullins in the primary four years later in one of the most lopsided victories in commission election history despite spending a third of the money Mullins did. Gentile-Youd opted to still battle for a seat in the general. Pennington beat her with 73 percent of the vote. Gentile-Youd was back at the County Commission lectern soon after that, berating commissioners for one thing or another, especially the eyesore ruin that was the Old Dixie Motel, her signature cause.
When the motel owners finally demolished it in May 2025, Gentile-Youd was in character when she sent out a celebratory email with pictures and the subject line: “POS. bye bye.” Then it was on to her next campaigns: a missing American flag at a certain club, the “Sheriff’s Budget beyond outer space limits,” the commission’s flawed–in her view–hiring process for the next county attorney, and of course her other signature cause: trying to do to long-time County Attorney Al Hadeed what she did to the Old Dixie motel.
Hadeed was Gentile-Youd’s white whale, bête noire and Carthage all in one, though she never managed to destroy him. He could have sued her a dozen times for what she said about him, but didn’t, instead sitting within feet of her every time she stoned him with her words or launched public record requests like Katyushas to uncover a smoking gun she never did. She wanted him fired. He proved to be one of the longest-tenured local government employees, retiring only last August. Gentile-Youd was not at his retirement ceremony. He is not likely to be at her funeral. Hadeed could not be reached today.
Then it was back to old and new battles. She tested the limits of the possible, refusing to ever relax, as her monthly appearances at Tiger Bay underscored.
“We are saddened by the passing of Jane Gentile-Youd, a longtime member of Flagler Tiger Bay Club and a dedicated servant of our community,” Jay Scherr, president of Tiger Bay, said this morning. “Jane was full of spirit, passion, and energy, and she spoke with conviction and courage. Her voice, commitment, and love for this community will remain an important part of her legacy. She will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”
Gentile-Youd had been no less engaged in her previous quarter century in Miami-Dade County. Her 26 years there culminated with Jane Gentile-Youd Day on April 6, 2002, as Mayor Alex Penelas and the County Commission recognized her service with a Community Service Gold Medal for her “contributions and tireless efforts to serve Northwest Dade County.
Born and raised in New York City, she graduated from Washington Irving High School near Union Square in Manhattan, attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and Brooklyn College, and learned to speak Spanish living in Mexico and Venezuela. She got her real estate license in 1986 and never lost it. In Miami she served on the zoning board and chaired the Northwest Dade Municipal Advisory Committee.
After she moved to Flagler County, she was appointed to the now-defunct Flagler County Long Range Planning Board. She was almost immediately influential locally, taking credit for securing a $200,000 grant to plant trees along Old Dixie Highway and lobbying for safety improvements on the bridge over I-95.
“My outspoken efforts are well known,” she wrote in a campaign biography in 2022, “both in Miami-Dade and here in Flagler County for standing up against runaway development and my refusal (both as a Realtor and private citizen) to participate in land deals I do not think will be beneficial to the community.”
County Commissioner Andy Dance tangled with Gentile-Youd for many years, two of them as chair, his unflappable temperament a foil to her fervor. “I would like to extend my condolences to Jane’s family and friends,” Dance said. “What I’ll remember most about Jane is that she cared deeply for this community and she showed up. While we did not always agree, I always appreciated her engagement and her passion.”
On October 28, Gentile-Youd broke a hip in three places. Six days earlier, she was starting her latest campaign–to block the renaming of the Sheriff’s Operations Center after Rick Staly and rename it instead for George “Son” Durrance, who was killed in 1927. Never mind that Durrance was conducting a rogue operation in search of the man who’d killed Flagler County Sheriff Perry Hall days earlier, or that Gentile-Youd mistook Durrance for a Black deputy when the man who killed him was Black, and was later lynched for it after a murderous mob pulled him out of the Flagler jail. Facts were not as important to Gentile-Youd as verve.
“Happy Holidays from bashed up Jane,” she wrote the editor of this news site and his family on Dec. 23. “Broken left hip and bashed up arm. I look like what I am… scary. Luv u all regardless.”
The brief note, accompanied by the ecumenical picture of her home’s lit-up Christmas tree and three menorahs–she was Jewish, she bowed her head with Christians, she hugged Arabs–was a digest of her resilience and forbearance: she had had her wars with FlaglerLive, as she had with all media at one time or another, as she had with most people at one time or another, but she would come around and again lavish as much love and praise as she had abuse (with Hadeed’s exception).
She was hospitalized, had gone home, then went back to the hospital. “She went back into the hospital after being short of breath and just wanted peace. So, she asked the lord to take her, and you know Jane, she always gets her way,” her friend Joy Cook said in a text to FlaglerLive. “We loved her very much and she will truly be missed. She was truly an advocate for Flagler residents.”
Jan says
She was feisty and passionate. She’ll be missed.
Julia LaRue says
She always asked the questions that made people stop and think. Not too many around like her. Loved reading her articles and better seeing her live, in action.
Jane Gentile-Youd Memorial Service says
Jane Gentile-Youd Memorial Service will be January 30th 2026 at
the Palm Coast Community Center 305 Palm Coast PKWY NE, Palm Coast, Fl 32137
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Do you know what time it starts?
Jane Gentile-Youd Memorial Service says
1:30 !
JACK D HOWELL says
She was a fighter! You either loved her or hated her. She was a good friend and I will miss her.
Darlene Shelley says
Rest in Peace beautiful Jane! You were a force to be reckoned with, passionate, dedicated, intelligent, and full of commitment to protect the rights of Flagler County residents. You came to the rescue of many Palm Coast residents experiencing the same battles you successfully fought and won in Miami. You were a teacher, surrogate mom, generous in so many ways, sharing facts, knowledge and information, koi fish, and cuttings from your prized Staghorn Fern and Mother of Thousands. Your legacy will live on through those that you inspired and whom came to love and learn from you. You have passed the torch, but your fire remains. Rest easy, Jane, we’ve got it from here. 🕊️ ♥️ 🙏
James says
May she rest in peace. She was anything but peaceful and was thankfully rejected by voters when she ran for office.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
She was not “rejected” by voters; she was hugely outspent by a devious, morally-bankrupt slum landlord and carpetbagger who had a nice WASPY-sounding name (Joe Mullins) that looked good on the red-white-and-blue signs that saturated the county during the campaign. Jane did not settle for the status quo or leave it to “someone else” to fight for taxpayers or the best interests of our county, whose beauty is being decimated at a rapid rate. And like her or not, she understood the process of local government and spoke out about things that the rest of us never would have known, were it not for her advocacy. I can think of no one else who, at age 82, would lug an oxygen tank to meetings to make sure nothing was rubber-stamped without an argument at least being heard. Thank you, Jane, for being an indefatigable voice for the people, even when things got hot and loud. And thank you, Flagler Live, for an honest and beautifully-crafted tribute which Jane would have loved, warts and all.
Harriet says
Actually, had Jane been voted in rest assured we would not be in the many messes we are in and have been in. She would have cleaned house too of the good ol boy system and ended the corruption.
James says
Well, I actually recall voting for her once. She was running as a non-party affiliated candidate at the time. Hadn’t known she was pretty much a life-long Republican at the time.
When I later found out, I had my doubts regarding her motivations for running. Considering how Flagler county is, can you really blame me?
I think she even concluded once here on Flaglerlive that it would have probably been better, and perhaps more successful, to have just run as a Republican.
A valid conclusion, one of which I do sadly agree.
R.I.P Jane.
Dennis C Rathsam says
RIP, JANE, Saint Peter has the door to heaven open wide.
Gina Weiss says
Many people talk about justice and fairness for the common man. But it
is a rarity to know an individual who actually fights for and speaks out
loudly about the political injustice and lack of concern by local political
leaders. Jane Gentile Youd was such a person. Jane spoke loudly and
took action to expose the political ineptitude and lack of consideration
perpetrated by the officials in our county. Of course, they made fun of her
and tried to belittle her efforts. But she was tireless, unflinching and well
schooled in all the bi laws and long history of political games played by
some of our local political figures. She was present at most county meetings
and attacked misstatements presented by board members and administrators.
Despite her age she was ubiquitous – a one woman power house and was feared.
While doing all of this she had time to devote to her loving spouse Mark and
her many darling pets and close friends. Jane was also my mentor and we
had many conversations where I would pick her brain for her vast knowledge
of the politics of Flagler County. She will be dearly missed and we will forever
hear her voice in the echo chambers of our county hall and her famous words ringing
out through the county chamber halls, “YOU SHOULD ALL BE FIRED!” No truer
words have ever been spoken by this caring and loving soul. I will miss you Jane
and we ill continue the fight for justice and fairness for all residents of Flagler
County.
Nancy N says
Jane was a force to be reckoned with, and not afraid to speak truth to power – something sorely needed these days. Her voice will be missed.
Erod says
Yes, she did speak her mind but she was usually wrong about 50 % of the time and when she couldn’t support the facts in her allegations she went with her personal attacks.
Harriet says
Why not focus on the lies by Flagler County employees that are paid with our taxes that she exposed for decades? Her points the majority of the time were spot on and I and countless others are grateful.
plantationlawdog says
Absolutely correct.
Harriet says
Jane was an AMAZING, brilliant human being. I never met anyone quite like her. Her tenacity was admirable. It was actually her endless FACTS that made a difference in this world. it was the reality of situations that she brought to the table and was willing to teach those that wanted to learn. If it was not for Jane I have no doubt that the Old Dixie Hotel would still be standing. I am grateful she lived long enough to see it torn down and all the debris removed. She loved her husband Mark her doggies and her beautiful home. You will be missed Jane by those who loved you, admired you and depended on you to fight the good fight.
Mark Youd says
I am so fortunate to have known and been married 34 years to my wife Jane. She was larger than life and an extraordinary person, touching so many lives. I have a huge space in my life right now, a hole in my heart and will love her forever. Love you Janie xxxx
Mark
Janet Cundiff says
Hi Mark,
A few months ago, Jane found me on FB and reached out. We chatted off and on since then about the good old days in CC of Miami. In Dec, I went to spent the month in Washington state with the Great Grandkids for the holidays. When I returned in mid January, she had texted me regarding her hip. and we chatted a bit but I could tell she was in great pain. Soon, she stopped responding and tonight I found out she had passed. I consider her a true friend and neighbor and I am so glad she found you.
God bless you Mark.
Janet & John
(the townhouse next door to Roberto and Nanette)
celia pugliese says
Jane was our community leader of so many years, a friend, a loving wife also had a very compassionate heart for those in need including our furry friends. Like she said will be watching over us until we meet again. We will miss her along Mark her loving husband in our prayers now.
Will not be forgotten says
So true, Jane loved her doggies and other furry friends. She had a big heart and wanted to help her community. RIP dear Jane xxoo
Poppy Ballantine says
To my dearest Jane Gentile Youd, please do not rest in peace; please retain, remain a loud, clear, distinctive voice. Continue to change the world in every grain of sand or form of star dust you encounter, even in death, remain the advocate for all things…for all time. For everything that warrants the outrage, “something needs to be done about that!”
It was my privilege to learn from Jane, joining her on her journey in the 80s in Miami and Hialeah as she wrote a column as an investigative reporter, driven by truth, each word carved with the sharpest blade, artfully becoming opinion. Jane was always controversial and always to the point, never sparing the injury and pain of the cut, consistently charming in fearlessness and fun. She was a genius in fashionable attire, heels, and red lipstick that matched her gorgeous hair. Jane was envied for class and style, for talent, and when she approached a lectern at council meetings, so petite and cute, the room held its breath, knowing that her soft, spoken introduction, her perfect greetings, were a prelude and would become a lesson, calling out a wrong, a scolding, a demand for right! She scared the hell out of everybody.
Jane lived her life with meaning, a fierce advocate for anything broken or wrong: sidewalks, roads, trees, broken people, broken women, broken systems, broken rules, and especially broken promises, broken political promises…Any injustice, “Look OUT,” she was the real thing, an original, a whirlwind, a tornado that could lift you up and take you on a magical ride, or spin you around and drop you face-first in the canal. You couldn’t run, you couldn’t outrun her, and you couldn’t hide. There was no choice but to comply, fix it, and make it work, do right.
Jane lived her life beyond power. She existed in inertia, a truthful, humorous, and talented writer, investigator, advocate, and friend guided by the powerful, divine light of caring. Jane had a life of significant meaning and value to so many. I was lucky to be one of the many.
I hope, in her next life, she is released from the weight of her burdens and finds me so we can do it all over again. It was a perfect life, and she was perfect in it. Jane Gentile Youd believed in living life fast and hard… Yell, scream, and be heard!
I will miss you, my dear friend.
Poppy
Denise Calderwood says
Jane RIP my friend, my mentor and my peer sometimes we agreed and other times we openly opposed each other but we always respected each other and we both felt the same way about certain county commissioners. Jane your voice will not be heard but your presence will still be felt at those long tedious frustrating meetings when your issues will be discussed. I will make sure of it!
Dale says
Jane…..what can possibly say about her that hasn’t been said by everyone leaving their comments here. I met Jane at a County Commission hearing regarding the horrible hotel on Old Dixie Hwy, the unrelenting fight in her was so refreshing to my husband and I! We have discovered that the county commission’s in many of these counties are certainly not working in the Residents best interest. Jane was more than vocal in fighting back for common sense!!! We found ourselves attending these meetings with Jane and a couple other wonderful people we now call our friends. She was passionate about our community and we will always be thankful for her. R.I.P Jane, you were a lovey inspiring women that we are happy to have been friends with!
CS says
RIP, Jane! We met when you were running for office here in Palm Coast. You provided us with your signs and even came into our home to speak at length about what you were all about. I knew in advance before he ever was elected who and what Joe Mullins was, saw his slumlord ‘apartments’ in Augusta, GA where he was pretty much ‘kicked out’. We had a lot of discussions during your whirlwind run for office. A classy lady indeed. You will be missed.
plantationlawdog says
In real life, Jane was a mean person. She treated the staff at Plantation Bay like they were her personal slaves, and threatened them that they would lose their jobs almost daily. No one would cut her grass, because the way she would talk to workers, and yell at them. The staff at Plantation Bay Security (Sorry, Gate Access) are glad she is gone, Steve Clair hated her, and her daily complaints. This was one miserly person that treated wait staff at restaurants, and in daily life, like they were beneath her. Finally her shrill voice is gone, and only 20 people will miss her.