Whitney Pier
It is with broken hearts and great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Debra Marie Young, 31, of Whitney Pier, on Saturday, April 27th at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 27th, 1987, Debra was the beloved daughter of Stephen (Sharon) Young and Cathy Violande. She was a graduate of Holy Angels High School and Nova Scotia Community College.
Debra will be remembered for her beautiful smile and courageous spirit in the face of life long health challenges. Debra loved celebrations, visits with family and friends, and especially enjoyed suppers at Papa and Gram’s.
Besides her parents, Debra is survived by her grandparents, John and Kay Violande; brother, Jonathan (Amy) Young; sister, Jennifer (Ryan) Guillena; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Debra will always be remembered by Valerie Cox, who provided a lifetime of love, friendship, and care, as well as great friend, Arlene.
Debra was predeceased by grandparents, Rev. John and Edna Young.
Visitation for the late Debra Marie Young will be held on Wendesday, May 1, 2019 at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), from 6-9 p.m.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 10 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home.
Interment will take place in New Calvary Cemetery, Whitney Pier at a later date.
Donations in memory of Debra may be made to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit , Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com.
Online Condolences
To the Young and Violande Families,
I was saddened to read of Debra’s passing. I have fond memories of her smile lighting up the hallways of Holy Angels.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
From: Chuck Drohan
You fought so valiantly your entire life and brought so much love to all who knew you. You taught lessons is patience and tolerance. Rest In Peace, Debra, you will be great missed. Our condolences to your family.
From: Ron And Paula Jacobson
So sorry to hear about your loss, unable to attend, l am ill. you were a wonderful caring mother.
From: Sandra Garabb
So very sorry for your loss. RIP sweet girl.
thoughts/prayers
Cathy so sorry for your daughters passing. You were a beautiful mother to her. My sincere condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time, god bless ?
im so very sorry to hear about your loss..my prayers are with you and your family at this time..
Cathy and family…Debra will always and forever be so fondly remembered in our hearts…her gentle way and sweet smile captured many hearts . We will miss her so…and we are thinking of you and yours at this very difficult time. Love always Tammy MacNeil
So very sorry to hear of debs passing. She will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Big hugs to you cathy, my heart truly breaks for you.
So sorry for your loss Rest In Peace Debra.
So sorry for your loss, she was beautiful inside and out…hugs
Cathy,may all the memories of your daughter help you and your family heal at this most difficult time in your lives. Thinking of you all. …..Kathy(Long)MacDonald.
My Condolences to Cathy and family and Val on the passing of our beautiful Debra shes gone but never forgotton..fly high beautiful angel….
Sincere condolences to Cathy and her family
Our sincerest condolences to Cathy and family
Thoughts and prayers going out to the families of this wonderful young lady. Debra will be sadly missed and forever loved. She is now running and chasing butterflies, birds, puppies and kittens. RIP Debra
Sending our deepest sympathy at this time.
Doddy & Bobby Keel (Hollohan)
Truro NS
(Whitney Pier)
My dear Kathy,johnie,kay and all the family I am so very sorry on the passing of Debra, please except my condolences and know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.you all have another angel ? watching over you.I have always thought of you guys as extended family.
My deepest sympathies to Debra’s family …Debra was the sweetest, kindest girl!… she will be missed ❤️❤️❤️
Kathy I am so very sad to read this today.Debra was so very special to me and I will miss her.My heart goes out to you all at this time
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Debra . Deepest condolences to the family !xo RIPDebra
So sorry for your loss,she was beautiful ,I still remember her trying to get up the stairs at your mom’s house Kathy,she showed her strenght through it all
Sending our deepest condolences Steve and family !! Love James DelVecchio & Carol Crawley
Cathy, we are so very sorry to have read about Debra’s passing. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend her service as we are out of town until the 6th of May. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. Debra was a sweet girl and she will be missed by anyone who had the fortune of knowing her. God bless and may she R I P…..
I’m so very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences. Sending Love to everyone.
Sending you my deepest sympathy for everyone’s loss as Debra was a sweet and adorable young woman.
Stephen and Cathy, we are so very sorry to hear of Debra’s passing. I Our condolences are with you all.
Donna & Rod Swistun, Elmsdale.
Sincere condolences on the loss of your beautiful daughter. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sending my deepest condolences to Cathy and your family. May she Rest In Peace
Cathy and family. Deepest sympathy on Debra’s passing. She was a delight to all who met her. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family. Cathy, I could not imagine the heart break of loosing a daughter. You are a proud mom and was supportive to Debra. Hold your head up and embrace the best gift you gave Debra your LOVE and hers in return.. I hope all the love from Family and Friends will help you through this time in need.
Steve you are in my prayers and I Know how proud you were of Debra.
Remember she is one of God’s Angels watching over you.
I went through school with Debra, both in the Pier and HAH. She was always so kind with a smile on her face. My thoughts and prayers are with her family & friends.
To the Violande Family, I am so sorry for your great loss. I know She was a special gift to you and God couldn’t have given her to a more loving family. Please accept our heart felt sympathy and know you are in our prayers.
Sorry for your loss Steve.
Our condolences.
So sorry for your loss Cathy! My thoughts and prayers are going out to you and your family! ???
Cathy, Steve & Family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of Debra. May memories you cherish get you through this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy to Kathy, Steve and Johathan and the extended Violande family on the passing of Debra. She brought so much Into your lives and in turn she was surrounded by a loving and caring family!
The most rewarding moment of my teaching career starred Debra! It was the day the board purchased a stair climber to enable students in wheelchairs to access the upper floors at Holy Angels. Debra was in grade 12 and would soon graduate. The company that sold the climber came to school to demonstrate its use and happily Debra agreed to give it a try. The halls of the school were filled with cheers and high fives as students and staff crowded round to share her joy. Tears flowed freely as the music class broke into song to mark the occasion. We were all deeply moved and Debra’s smile beamed brightest of all!
Debra was the first student to benefit from this technology and it was her courage in using the stair climber that paved the way for others.
The Young Family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter Debra. She is no longer suffering .
My thoughts and prayers are with you also.
Barbara Chiasson (Miller)
Sorry to hear that she passed. My familys love and hugs. I know she had a special place in her heart for my dad.