Julia (Rahey) Young, RN
Born In: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: January 18th, 2012
Vibrant and dynamic till the end, Julie Young died peacefully at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, within the circle of her loving family.
Born in North Sydney, Julie was the daughter of the late David and May (Balah) Rahey. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School, North Sydney, and was particularly proud of her accomplishments in music and elocution. As a young woman, she travelled to Montreal to train at Herbert Reddi Memorial Hospital. She graduated as an RN in 1945 and accepted a position at Montreal Jewish General. She returned home and did public nursing (a precursor to the VON) ministering to the sick and delivering many babies in Northside homes. She did private duty nursing at Hamilton Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and Harbourview making her a pioneer of palliative care.
Although nursing was her first love, Julie embarked on a new career in the sixties, graduating from Chez Leon School of Hairdressing in Sydney. She opened a salon in her home and later went into partnership with Frank Hacala to create Franlie’s which became a thriving business with many loyal customers of all ages. She became a master colourist and acted as a consultant to hairdressers all over the island.
Always a nurse at heart, Julie was eager to provide assistance to those in need. She often worked pro bono and was well-known for her many kindnesses. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, North Sydney. A life-long Liberal, Julie loved to argue politics and managed to survive her son Brian’s career as a Tory.
Julie loved to work and loved to play. Always the life of the party, she reveled in playing the piano, leading sing-songs, sharing stories, and, most of all, laughing. Her greatest joy was feeding people. The gargantuan meals she prepared every Sunday for her large extended family are legendary. How we will miss those wonderful Lebanese delicacies!
Julie was a proud member of the Northside Artists’ Association and exhibited works in the annual Art Show. Especially in her later years, she became a prolific artist and spent many happy hours painting away on any available surface. She was also a member of the Retired Nurses Association.
Julie was always in motion and retirement didn’t slow her down one bit. She loved walking all around the town and socializing with everyone she met. Her jaunty hats, high-heeled sneakers, and signature walking stick were a familiar sight that will be fondly remembered by her many friends and acquaintances.
Julie will be greatly missed by her children, Brian (Nancy) and their children, Jodi (Doug) Reid, Halifax, Brianne, Edmonton, Andrew and Nicholas, North Sydney; Eric and his daughters, Ericka (Ryan) Fox, Ottawa and Victoria, North Sydney; Regina (Mike) Meaney and their children, Molly, Bryden, and Maggie, Georges River. Julie was so very proud of her great-grand-daughter, Philippa Reid, Halifax. Julie dearly loved her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law holding a special place in her heart for, Jean Settle and an army of nieces and nephews. She was especially close to her niece, May (Mayday) and her husband Gerry Peach who were so very good to her over the years.
Julie was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Jim; infant son, Joseph; granddaughter, Carmen Young, and great-grandson, Davy Reid. Julie was the last surviving member of her immediate family being predeceased by her parents; brothers, Jimmy, Louis, George, Sid, Joe, and Freddie and sisters, Helen Young, Queenie Tennant, Cecelia Cote, and Annie Ada.
Visitation for Julie will be held 2-4 and 7-9, Sunday, Jan. 22 at W.J.Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. Burial to take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made at the funeral home to the Carmen Young CBU Nursing Scholarship.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.
