Obituary of Nivene Ann Young
November 15, 2024
July 9, 1956 – November 15, 2024
It is with deepest sorrow that the family of Nivene Ann Young announces her passing. She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, mentor, and friend.
Nivene was born in Kingston, Jamaica and emigrated to the US at the age of 12. She lived most of her life in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, where she was well known for her radiant smile, her independent nature, her profound faith, and her limitless charity to others.
From an early age, Nivene was drawn to the teachings of Catholicism and attended Holy Rosary Preparatory School in Jamaica. After becoming blind at 17 due to a brain tumor, she said that her experience ultimately brought her “closer to the Church, Christ, and the Blessed Mother.” She was an enthusiastic participant in daily Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church and at devotional services at many other churches in NYC where she was a familiar face.
Despite losing her sight in high school, Nivene achieved a BA in Elementary and Special Education/Sociology from Marymount College, an MA in Special Education for the Blind/Visually Impaired from Columbia University, and an Ed.S. in Special Education for Severe/Multiple Disabilities from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She worked for a number of years as a teacher with the NYC Board of Education facing numerous challenges as she navigated the mass transit system armed only with her cane and her memory to get to different work locations. But whenever she traveled by train, bus, or plane, total strangers became her friends as they offered their help. One of her mottos in life was that “God will provide,” and it often happened, although not always in the ways she expected!
She was a woman of principles, and when her American citizenship application was delayed because of her status as a conscientious objector, Father Mulvanerty successfully defended her as “a young woman of exceptionally good character, an intelligent student, and a person of sensitive and well-developed moral judgment.” She received her citizenship soon after.
Nivene was a catalyst for positive change, working tirelessly to protect the lives of the unborn and the disabled. She prayed the rosary several times per day and had a network of friends that she regularly called by phone to pray with her. She continued this practice even when it became difficult for her to finish the prayers.
Nivene dedicated herself to working with students with visual impairments and other disabilities and always found ways to show kindness and offer aid to those in need. She taught English as a Second Language to newly arrived immigrants, both sighted and non-sighted, and also assisted several in navigating the complicated path to citizenship. Many of her students went on to achieve success and always remembered her classes as a place of fun, kindness, and acceptance. She was a uniting force in an era that has become increasingly divisive, and it grieved her immensely to hear the public discourse we are now experiencing.
Nivene will be remembered for her devout faith and boundless compassion, which remained strong even during the toughest situations. She was the consummate community creator, constantly reaching out to friends and family in her efforts to support the Pro-Life movement, the canonization of Saint Margaret of Castello, accessibility issues for the blind and the disabled, and on behalf of any friend who needed a helping hand or a prayer warrior. It was hard to say no to her, and even if you did, you often changed your mind later!
Nivene lived an extraordinary life of quiet grace, deep love, and compassion that touched hearts and minds. She was an inspiration to many people and changed the lives of all who knew her.
She will be greatly missed by her mother Patricia, sister Joni, half-sisters Karla and Kim, brother-in-law Alex, nieces Allegra and Alyssa, and the Young, Moo Young, Wong, and Torres families, as well as the many friends in her neighborhood and her community of faith. If she knew you, she loved you.
She was predeceased by her father Karl, her brother Rocky, and her half-brother Chad.
The family would like to thank her home aides, Vivian, Haoua, and Nancy, for their dedicated care for Nivene over the last few years and all the friends who prayed with her by phone or visited her as her illness made it harder for her to move around.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:
Missionaries of the Poor
https://missionariesofthepoor.org/
Sisters of Life
Pay by check to: Sisters of Life, Annunciation Motherhouse 38 Montebello Rd, Suffern, NY 10901
or online at https://sistersoflife.org/donate/
Good Counsel
https://www.goodcounselhomes.org/
Funeral Services
Visitation
November 20, 2024
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
November 20, 2024
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Greenwich Village Funeral Home
199 Bleecker St.
New York City, NY 10012
Get DirectionsFuneral Mass
November 21, 2024
10:00 AM
Holy Family Church
315 E. 47th St.
New York City, NY 10017
Get DirectionsShare a Memory
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Nivene inspired all her knew her by her very presence. We pray for such a beautiful and serene soul, and knowing her closeness to our Lord we also ask her to pray for us.
Posted by: George Rutler - New York, NY - Friend November 19, 2024
My dearest cousin Annie. I will miss your infectious smile and wonderful, caring nature. And I will always remember your bravery, courage, and zest for life. Rest in peace my dearest cousin Annie.
Posted by: Hilma \"Pearlie\" Williams - Miami, Florida - Family November 19, 2024
Forever in Our Hearts. We will miss you and forever admire your courage and strength.
Posted by: Valeria and Mikulas Zolcer - Slovenske Darmoty, Slovakia, Europe - Friend November 19, 2024
You will live in my heart when we all lived in childhood bliss together as brothers and sisters in the mid 60s. We were our true selves. Dearest cousin with the most gentlest of souls and the kindest of hearts, you are reunited in heaven with the Lord. Kiss Rocky, say hi to uncle Karl, hug other family members, sing, dance, and rejoice, until we meet again cuz Xxoo.
Posted by: Penelope Burger - Hollywood , FL - Family November 19, 2024
Meeting Nevine was a happy day in my life! We would get together with her good friend Bob Nelson, who I also met that day. I was sorry to hear about her misfortunes. But I was glad to have known such a beautiful person! She was so sweet and always had something positive to say. Such a gentle soul. I miss you Nevine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loving family. Take care! Roger
Posted by: Roger Landau - Manhatan, NY - Acquaintance November 19, 2024
Nivene was a long-time friend. She was so strong in her Catholic faith and a true inspiration: a shining light! We first met in college through the Catholic center at KU when she was in graduate school, over thirty-five years ago. Throughout the years, we remained friends in the Lord! Nivene's devotion to Our Blessed Mother only served to deepen my devotion and we would often pray the Rosary together when we were room mates at the house in Eudora, KS. There, Nivene was a teacher at a Catholic Montessori school to some very active, playful middle school students! Nivene had such a wonderful way with people that seemed to flow out from her deep, abiding faith. One simply knew that one was known and loved by her as a person! When Nivene returned to NY to live and I moved on, we remained friends. She is the godmother of my husband Randy's and my oldest son, Nathaniel. He is now nearly twenty-nine years old. Nivene was a wonderful, loving godmother to Nathaniel and they had a special relationship.(He always knew her as a loving presence in his life and partly through her, came to know more of the love of God!) Our other children would claim her too, saying: "She is everyone's godmother!" The past four years or so, Nivene and I would pray the Rosary together from Kansas to NYC over the phone, about 3-4 times a week, often along with others as the situation transpired. I treasure the time of prayer with her, my sister in Christ! She had a devotion to St. Margaret of Costello that was inspiring! Nivene had such a dignity in her person, a courage to endure the suffering in life along with a joyful spirit, a fortitude to witness her faith up until the end. I learned so much from this dear,sweet, strong friend. She was truly a woman of God! Truly, I (we) will miss your sweet presence on earth yet thank God from the bottom of my heart for such a Graced friendship!!!
Posted by: Julie (Wright) Heithoff - Berryton, Kansas - Friend November 19, 2024
Annie's huge smile and kind spirit brought joy to those who were fortunate to have had the pleasure of sharing wonderful experiences and special moments with her. Rest in peace Annie...enjoy seeing all the wonders and beauty in heaven. You will be missed.
Posted by: Cherie Buzaki - Hollywood , Florida - Family November 20, 2024
Dear sweet and kind Nivene. A friend for 27 years. She truly radiated "Lumen Deo". In all those years I never heard her issue a harsh word, have a negative mood, or speak darkly. In the face of adversity she surrendered to Our Lord and made the best of every day. We first worked together as chaperones/kitchen staff on a theee-day youth retreat with the Friars of the Renewal and stayed friends from then on. She was an inspiration to me and everyone she encountered. Receive her O Lord. Gaudete in Domino Semper!
Posted by: Richard Sawicki - New York, New York - Friend November 20, 2024
Our deepest condolences and sympathy on the passing of Dear Annie. May the Lord Bless Annie and grant her Eternal Peace. Love and blessings. Norma and Leonard Lyn
Posted by: Norma Lyn - Toronto , Canada - Family November 21, 2024
From our Family to You and Your Families, Our deepest Condolences and Sympathy on the passing of Cousinqa Annie. May the Lord send his Angels to take Annie to home in Heaven to brighten Heaven with Her big beautiful smile !! Love and Blessings The Lyns and Chiappettas
Posted by: Len Lyn - Toronto , Canada - Family November 21, 2024
It was easy to love Nivene. She was most kind to me. I ran a Religous Ed. program, and came all the way up to Mamaroneck to talk to my kids. She left a lasting impression on all of us. I also worked for Fr. Benedict Groeschel. I use to tape his talks. Nivene was always there. Always had a big smile. I would give her the tapes of the talks. She was always so grateful. After I had my brain surgeries we had something in common, and I would call her to talk about it. When I heard of her passing I felt so sad. She was truly a special soul. Anytime I spoke to her I felt blessed. Since I learned of it, I have been praying to her.
Posted by: David Burns - Rensselaer, NY - Friend November 30, 2024
