Ozenda "Doreen" Eltrudis Grant

Ozenda Eltrudis Grant, affectionately known as Doreen to her family, was born on June 12, 1945 in Kingston, Jamaica. The third of six children, Ozenda was a quiet child. She and her siblings attended St. Joseph Girls School in Kingston, Jamaica. As Ozenda matured, she developed a wicked sense of humor.

In her youth, she lived on Wildman Street in Kingston, going on walk-outs on Sunday afternoon with her sisters. Doreen excelled academically at Kingston Technical High School, and began her professional career at the Jamaican Government.

While attending a dance, Ozenda met her future husband of 55 years, Britan Grant. They married on July 15, 1967 and would later have two boys Maurice and Roger.

She traveled to the US to further her studies and Graduated from Pace University in New York. Ozenda valued education and learning throughout her life. She was the first one in her family to obtain a college degree. She was an inspiration to her many nieces & nephews. Auntie Doreen & Uncle Britan were, The Huxtables to them before the Huxtables existed. She always encouraged them to pursue advanced education. Doreen was living proof that hard work and dedication was worth it. With her family she bought her first home and settled in Brooklyn. Doreen excelled professionally and would enjoy the fruits of her labor. She was highly respected by her neighbors and an active member of her community. Ozenda valued and nurtured her friendships and was an active member of the Kingston Technical High School Alumni Association.

Ozenda loved to read and was an avid traveler, journeying to England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. She loved spending her time with family and loved telling a good story. You had to be ready to laugh when she would start any story with, “Look here…”.

Generous and dedicated to her family, she sponsored her entire extended family to emigrate to the US. This while raising her own nuclear family. Doreen loved life and enjoyed sharing it with everyone who came in contact with her. Gifted at oration and a regular jokester, one of her running jokes was, when saying goodbye, she would loudly quote Marc Antony from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on the front steps no matter the place or time of the day or night.

Warm, loving and caring, Ozenda would go out of her way to make people feel comfortable. Though sometimes she was very convicted in her opinion, she would never disrespect you or pick a fight with anyone for the sake of it. However, when she was right, we all knew it.

So, here’s to you Ozenda,

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears, I come to bury Caesar not to praise him.” - - Marc Anthony-Julius Caesar

Except this time, we did come to praise you Ozenda!

Go in peace my love go in peace!

Ozenda is survived by her loving husband Britan Grant, her sons Maurice Grant, Roger Grant and her step-daughter, Arlene Grant. Her grand-children, Maurice Jr., Maurisa, Nicholas,

Nigel, Devin, Amani, Shahee, Alan, Alajah, Aaliyah, Kyla, Angel & Noah. And her great-grandchildren, Armani & Alani. She also leaves behind siblings, Lola Bryan, Claudia Bryan, Kathleen McKenzie and Abraham Russell. She will be missed by her many nieces & nephews. In addition many other loving relatives who will miss her dearly as well as her life long friends including Alethia and Merle.