Lydia Elaine Breer

Those who crossed paths with Lydia Breer quickly discovered her compassionate soul and the many roles she gracefully fulfilled: mother, friend, church member, musician, therapist, social worker, writer, chef, and advocate. She passed away on September 20, 2026, at age 64, surrounded by all her children after a brief but courageous battle with illness.

Lydia was born in Chattanooga, TN, on September 1, 1962, to Eugene “Gene” Norris and Beverly Rowlain Norris, the youngest of three daughters. While in high school, the Norris family moved to Augusta, GA, where her parents would live for most of their lives. Lydia attended Presbyterian College (“PC”), graduating in 1984 with a B.A. in religion, a double minor in psychology and music, and friends she would have for life.

Lydia dedicated much of her time to advocacy work. From 2007 to 2015, she worked for the Tourette Information Center & Support of Georgia (formerly the Tourette Syndrome Association of Georgia), an organization dedicated to educating and supporting families with children diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). She served many roles, including bookkeeper, support group coordinator, treasurer, chairman of the board, director, and eventually, president. Lydia was instrumental in running Camp Twitch & Shout, an overnight week-long program for children with TS started in 2008. She also led the North Metro TS Support Group, holding “Coffee and Conversation” for parents with children living with TS.

Driven by her lifelong passion for helping others, Lydia set her sights on becoming a social worker. While raising three children (who, at the time, were in three different levels of grade school), Lydia earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Georgia, graduating summa cum laude (with a 4.0 GPA) in 2013. She went on to become a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), credentials she held until her passing. After graduate school, Lydia worked as a hospice social worker serving the greater metro Atlanta area. She also founded her own practice, N-ABLE Counseling, naming it after the initials of her and her children’s names. She specialized in family counseling, parenting skills, aging in place, grief and loss, and neurodivergent children. Lydia continued working until her death as a therapist with Grow Therapy.

Outside of work, Lydia was a dedicated member of Buford Presbyterian Church, a place she called home for over 27 years. Lydia sang in the choir every Sunday, rang handbells (and, for a time, played alongside her son, Benjamin), played the flute, helped organize and lead Vacation Bible School, and delivered numerous children’s sermons. For many years, Lydia and several church members attended the Montreat Worship and Music Conference in Black Mountain, NC – one of her favorite places in the world.

Of all the jobs Lydia had in her life, her most impressive and fulfilling role was “Mom.” To Lydia, her children were everything, and she is survived by all three of them: Aaron Cabaniss, Benjamin (Adele) Breer, and Lydia Loretta Breer. She is also survived by her sister Laura (Norm) Engebreth; sister-in-law Lynn Moline; nieces and nephews Evan (Bianca) Engebreth, Neil Engebreth, and Claire Engebreth; and numerous friends.

Lydia is predeceased by her parents and oldest sister, Becca Norris.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on November 14, 2026, at Buford Presbyterian Church.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, GA, has charge of the arrangements.