CHEEKTOWAGA, NY (WIVB) – Pearl Young attended Good Samaritan Church of God in Christ in Cheektowaga.

Young was one of 10 people killed in Tops’ racist attack on Jefferson Avenue on May 14. Those who knew her and went to church with her said she lit up every room.

Ramona Dobbins met Young through the 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Western New York.

“We saw each other at different meetings and at church because she was always there,” Dobbins said. “We would have time to commune together and talk, she was very funny.”

Dobbins also said she will always remember the last conversation she had with her friend when they last met, when the two women arrived early and had a chance to catch up.

She referred to Young as “Mother”, saying the term doesn’t always mean blood.

“She was a mother to many, her wisdom and knowledge and just the words Mother spoke, you can’t beat that.”

Dobbins said Young helps everyone she can, even adopting children into her home. She added that it was a privilege to know her.

“It’s going to be so hard to know, knowing that I’ll never see her again.”

Dobbins said she knew her friend was home with God and would never be forgotten.

“She touched so many lives with her caring, generous and compassionate ways and people never forget her.”

Young’s funeral will be held Wednesday morning at Elim Christian Fellowship in Buffalo. Dobbins said she preferred to see it as a homecoming or a celebration of her life.

Kayla Green is a journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.