Doreen Britton

She was the first of two children born to Gwendolyn Watson Mills. As a child she was a member of the Brown's Town Baptist Church for many years. She was actively involved in the Baptist Church where she was a choir member and highly regarded Sunday School Teacher. Doreen was the pride and joy of her grandparents, the late Deacon Robert Ephraim Watson and Deaconess Margaret Watson.

Doreen attended Brown's Town Primary School. She later graduated from York Castle High School, formally known as Henderson High School. She migrated to the United States at the age of 18, where she lived with her Aunt Mae and Uncle Chen in Harlem, New York.

She met and later married her childhood friend, and love of her life, Selwyn Britton on February 14, 1970. They had a blended family with four children, Annette, Maurice, Marc, and Michael. They lived in the Bronx, New York, starting in their apartment on Clay Avenue and later in their home on Wickham Avenue.

Doreen was revered as a top-notch cook and famous for her Annual Holiday Celebrations. She would effortlessly make everyone's meal in a blink of an eye, and was welcoming to anyone who came to her home. While she will always be remembered for her culinary celebrations, her most esteemed and lasting memory was her love for everyone. Everyone that crossed her path became a part of her family. She put everyone in front of herself and loved freely as a bird in the sky.

She retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of America after working there for 20 plus years. Her office was unfortunately located in the World Trade Center, where she was caught up in the 9/11 disaster on her scheduled retirement day. Doreen and Selwyn moved to Atlanta after her ever so grateful survival, where she continued her traditional family dinners. Years later, she fell ill and returned to New York for treatment. She peacefully passed away on Friday, January 9th, 2015 surrounded by her loving family.

Doreen was a loving mother, extraordinary grandmother and a devoted Christian who never forgot her roots and her first love for God. She lived a life surrounded by loved ones and always gave love to those who were blessed to cross her path. She always put Christ first and tried her best to walk in his pathway while helping as many people as she could along her journey.

She leaves behind her wonderful husband of over 40 years, Selwyn Britton; four wonderful children, Annette (Maurice C. Johnson MD), Maurice (Curlean "Dawn"), Marc (Faith), and Michael (Carlene); 11 grandchildren, Maurice Johnson, Jr. (Angela), Shenaie Johnson, Maurice Britton, Jr., Jaelyn Britton, Zachia Britton, Michael Britton, Jr., Jordyn Britton, Caroline Johnson, Jaice Britton, Madyson Britton, and Mathew Britton; one sister, Mae Martin; one niece, Elease Martin; two nephews, Cleveland Martin II, and Dennis martin; and a host of cousins, families, and friends.

The Broken Chain by Ron Tranmer

Doreen; We little knew the day that God was going to call your name.

In life, we loved you dearly, In Death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone.

For part of us goes with you, The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, Your love is still our guide.

And though we cannot see you, You're always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE:

DOREEN BRITTON

Sunrise: April 10th, 1939

Sunset: January 9th, 2015

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION

Saturday, January 17th, 2015, 9:00AM

Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ

312 Grand Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520

Reverend Herman Washington, Guest Pastor from Shiloh Baptist Church

PLACE OF INTERNMENT

Pinelawn Memorial Park

Farmingdale, NY

Donations to the American Cancer Society.