"Her Early and Professional Life"

Melva Delores Young was born in Burnt Savannah Jamaica and lived most of her adult life in Silverspring Maryland. She was the Daughter of Eli Young and Kathleen Brisett-Strickland

She attended High School in Kingston and Westmoreland. (Frome Senior School)

While living in Kingston she attended the Jamaican Hotel School and worked for awhile at The Jamaican Playboy Hotel on the North Coast. She also worked with Gil Kong in photography while living in Kingston.

She migrated to the USA around 1976 and began her quest for a more meaningful life. She resided in Palm Beach and Lake worth areas before being invited by a friend Jean A Duncan to move to Maryland. She moved to Maryland and began her quest for a more meaningful life. Maryland became her home for close to 40 years.

Melva realized that it was necessary to have a profession to maintain her lifestyle and help her family so she got her early training as a CNA at Montgomery College and registered and subsequently worked as an independent contractor. She worked taking care of many patients until her retirement around 2017.

"Melva The Spiritual Being"

Melva became a Christian while in Jamaica , however she did not follow through as she wanted. It was around 1981 that she wrote in her diary that she recommitted her life to the Lord. She was an ardent member of the Piney Grove Baptist Church in Silverspring. Melva was an ardent member until she was unable to drive herself to Church. She epitomised a servant heart while being an extraordinarily giving person to all she met.

She was a giver to all types of charities that needed her support. She was indeed a Godly person that wanted God to change her and help her be the best that she could be. In her own words she stated "I expect the best and with God's help will attain the best" confirms that she aimed to be the best that God wanted her to be.

"Melva the Friend & Family Person"

Melva was a very important person in the Brissett /Young family. She was a tower of strength and was called the " Mother Theresa" of the family. She had such compassion and connection to the family, that she mothered many nieces and nephews by providing economic and other support. She was an eternal giver to the many nephews, nieces and cousins that required help. She would take out loans to help where necessary. Additionally, some of those who predeceased her were the benefactors of her kindness as she contributed generously in helping to bury them.

She was indeed a gift to the family.

Melva did not only help her family members, she helped many who needed her assistance. Her apartment in the Silverspring area was a base for many who had fallen on hard times. While at work those who needed help would be given the keys to sleep in her apartment . She gave without expecting anything in return.

Poem

Your Years Like Basket of Flowers

Yes, you planted many a garden

You have watered with tears as you cared. You have tended and weeded their garden. And worried for so many years. About sisters and brothers and cousins. And nieces, and nephews and friends. About aunts and uncles and mother and father...... And the list could go on without end..

Let's look at some of your baskets. They have many shapes and forms. Some are filled with bright beautiful flowers. With ferns and delicate fonds. There is one with tall stemmed flowers. Strong, vibrant and rich. With subtle and intricate colours. A basket from friends through the years. There is another with flowers, tiny and pretty. So refined and elegant too. This seems to come from the family. The ones who are tiny like YOU.

(©2002 - GEMY)

Melva was special, an extraordinary daughter, sister, cousin, auntie, grandaunt, church sister and friend.

She will be missed. May her soul rest in eternal peace (REIP).