Leonora Reese Quinones

Lenora Secora Bryant Reese Quinones, 82, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. She was born on May 5, 1937 in Long Island, New York to the late Willis Olf Reese and Lenora Secora Reese.

Lenora married Jose Antonio Quinones, and had their daughter, Serena Maria Quinones.

Lenora pursued her post secondary education in Human Services and Social Work at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was involved in working with the ESL (English as a Second Language) Program.

As a single mother living on a very conservative income, Lenora nevertheless accomplished great strides as a devoted mother to her one and only beloved daughter, Serena, and as a dedicated member of her entire community. Lenora was encouraging and supportive of Serena, pushing her to explore all facets of life, through travel and education.

The many contributions Lenora made include more than 25 years in public school education as a paraprofessional and union representative for those workers in the Wilmington, Delaware Public School system. She worked at Richardson Park Elementary School, A.I. Middle School, Wilmington High School, and Telegraph Road Alternative School as a youth adviser and teachers' aide. Lenora especially enjoyed co-sponsoring the annual Fashion Show and Talent Show with Edwina Gods and Bernice Swann, her close friend. She also worked closely with her dear friend, Carmen Colon, in the school system as paraprofessionals, and also worked together in the union.

For many decades, Lenora worked for the City of Wilmington, Delaware Department of Parks and Recreation as an activities coordinator and youth adviser.

Lenora was both patriotic and civic minded. Her many involvements for social progress included working with former Governor Joe Biden, city mayors, and City Council on community issues and with Jill Biden to support Special Olympics.

Lenora worked tirelessly with local churches as well as the Latin American Community Center to promote cultural and multicultural pride. She was also a co-host on Latin Beats on WDEL.

After retiring to Florida, Lenora continued nonstop with community and church affiliated activities. Environmentally conscious, Lenora even used her creative talents to recycle materials artistically!

Lenora enjoyed church fellowship, Bible study, traveling, multicultural events, and entertaining. She especially enjoyed piano, accordion, singing, and eating Spanish food. It's safe to say that she adopted the Spanish culture as her own because of the warm, rich, loving environment that it offered. She had several loving Hispanic families that adopted her as their own, fully immersing her into the culture that she loved.

Lenora is preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Leonora Reese; and her two brothers, Willis and Robert.

Lenora's survivors are her beloved daughter, Serena; her sister, Jacquelyn; her brother, Charles; and many other relatives, friends, and associates.

As a former Girl Scout, and Troop Leader, Lenora would want all of us to remember her by her lifelong motto,"Always be prepared," and by the motto of her golden years,"Ain't no stoppin' me!"