Obituary of Denise Allen Coleman

Denise Allen-Coleman was born on December 14, 1961 at Sydenham Hospital in New York City. She was born to proud parents, Robert Allen and the late Dolores Allen. She was an only child who was affectionately called DeDe. Denise grew up in both Harlem and the Bronx, New York. She was raised in a Christian home. She was brought before the Lord and baptized as a Methodist. Her godparents, the late Frank Greene Jr. and Ruth Greene-Ballard, saw to it that Denise continued her faith in the Lord. She converted to Catholicism in her adult years. She was administered her last rites on the 4th of February. Denise was the beloved wife of Windsor Coleman Jr. Denise and Windsor met as teenagers and developed a friendship that led to courtship. They were joined in wedded bliss on June 4, 1988. Their wedding date is also significant because it is her husband's birthday. As a couple, their love saw no limits. From this union, two sons were born: Windsor III (25 years old) and Brendon (21 years old). Denise was cherished by her sons and they were both the apple of their mother's eye. It was her greatest desire that her sons carry on the values she strongly believed in: Respect for All, Love of Family and Positive Community Involvement. Denise shared an exceptionally close relationship with her parents. She was a great support to her mother, especially during Dolores' final days. She maintained a strong father-daughter bond with her dad. He often would visit at her home. His funny and detailed stories of "yesteryear" always had her in "stitches". Denise was also the loving granddaughter of Dorothy Jones and the late Daniel Jones and the precious niece of Cynthia and Charles Ballard. Her relationship with her grandmother is best described as sweet and caring. Nanny, as she called her, looked forward to her granddaughter's weekly phone calls. Denise truly loved her grandmother and the time they spent together. DeDe had a special loving bond with her Aunt Cynthia. They were more like mother and daughter rather than aunt and niece. Denise had a loving kinship with her in-laws: Father-in-law, Windsor Coleman; Mothers-in-law, Deborah Miller and Dorothy Coleman; Brothers-in-law, Michael and Robert Coleman and sisters-in-law, Diane Morris, Paula Richie and Nadine Coleman. They often visited each other, spent some holidays together, and vacationed with one another from time to time. Not only was Denise admired and loved by family but this admiration was also felt by her friends, neighbors, and all who met her. She had such a warm and loving manner that many sought her out for guidance and advice. Her closest friends, Cressandra Collins, Christine Lawton, Monique Tuitt, Robin Rhodes, Colleen Phillips and Dianne Cyrus agree that DeDe was never too busy to lend assistance to those in need, in spite of her own challenges with breast cancer. At an early age, she showed an interest in the Arts and took dance lessons under thetutelage of Ruth Williams. Denise received her primary and secondary education at the prestigious Dwight York Preparatory School in Manhattan. She graduated from that school with Honors in June 1976. That fall she attended Syracuse University where she majored in Political Science. She began her career as a civil servant with the New York City Department of Social Services. She held several titles, which included Eligibility Specialist. After several promotions, she retired in 2012 as Director of CASA 2 for home care services. Although her family was the center of her life, she found time to volunteer her services to several organizations. One such group, that was near and dear to her heart, was the Sisters of Greater Long Island, an African-American Breast Cancer Survivors Support Organization. She also devoted a lot of time working tirelessly with Prison Families Anonymous (PFA). Despite her dedication to family and volunteer work, she found time to travel near and far. Some of those places included California, Alaska, Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands. She was planning a cruise to Europe, which she looked forward to enjoying with her husband, Windsor. Her final trip was a cruise from Los Angeles, California to Ensenada, Mexico in January. Travel mate Dianne Cyrus recalled Denise's delight in watching several sea lions on a buoy in Santa Barbara and her contentment while enjoying the ocean breeze as a member of the 2015 Breast Cancer Wellness Thrivers' Cruise. Denise will be sorely missed but always remembered in a special way for her compassionate and caring spirit. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her loving husband