A revered Connecticut matriarch was laid to rest in Bridgeport Saturday.

Leola Young, who died of cancer at the age of 63, was remembered at a funeral service at East End Baptist Tabernacle.

Mourners tell News 12 her record of advocating passionately for children with disabilities was inspired by the story of her own daughter, 28-year-old Sarafina Young. Sarafina says her mom helped countless people in need during her decades of service to the Bridgeport community.

“She was the definition of ‘no child left behind,’” she said. “My mom wanted every child to get equal opportunity. Just because a child didn’t live in a better part of Bridgeport…she wanted them to have the same resources.”

She worked at LaFayette Bank for a decade then devoted her career to working with adults with special needs. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called Young's advocacy on behalf of people in need nothing short of heroic.

Young's family is promoting Minority Organ Donor Awareness Month in memory of Young, who herself received a heart transplant.

Young was a Sunday school teacher who also sang in the church choir.