Debbie Yurkoski, a fixture among homeless outreach workers and Share Family and Community Services volunteers, passed away last month after a long battle with cancer.
The 56-year-old Port Coquitlam resident was known for her work with people living in poverty and would often bring warm clothes to homeless people staying at the severe weather shelter.
"She had a big heart and wanted to help people that were in need," said Art Long, a friend of Yurkoski who helps operate the food bank at PoCo's Trinity United Church.
"She went out of her way. She would go late to the shelters and take dry pants and shoes and coats to people.
"She always had her ear tuned to anyone in need."
Long said Yurkoski was also helpful to men and women coming out of drug and alcohol recovery programs. She would often help people get settled in new homes and locate furniture and clothing to help them get started.
Bill Yurkoski, Debbie's brother, said his sister had suffered from her own addictions and would have been nine years sober this year. Once she was able to work out her own problems, she turned her attention to helping the homeless, becoming more involved in 2001, when she began volunteering with Share.
Bill Yurkoski said his sister was comfortable with people from all walks of life and would often help homeless people get housing, fill out pension documents or receive welfare.
"She did a lot of volunteering," he said. "She was always there to help out."
A service will be held at Trinity United Church (2211 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam) on Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.C. cancer clinic or to the Trinity United homeless fund.
