Lorraine B.

Reed

The late Lorraine Brenda "Bren" Reed was born in the Bronx to Willie Mae Reed, née Salley, and William Arthur Reed, Sr. on November 19, 1945. She was the third of four children—and the family's only girl.

"Bren", as she was lovingly known, was a Bronx Girl throughout her life—attending Elementary, Junior High School and High School there and later teaching a new generation of children in the borough. Though her Bronx educational years were formative for her, no experience had such a lasting impact on the character of our beautiful Brenda Reed, as her being baptized at Russell CME Church at an early age and later joining Goodwill Baptist Church and singing in the youth choir. Brenda Reed was a woman of great faith and a deep love for God, our Father. And no matter what life presented for Brenda, she never lost that faith.

Brenda married Air Force Sergeant, Terry Lee Smith, both Bronx natives, in Illinois on February 15, 1965. To this union were born two daughters, Angela Rochelle Smith and Regina Jeannette Smith, although she and Terry divorced in 1972, Brenda kept her faith in God that He would see her and her small children through life's trials.

Later, Brenda married Virginian native, Antonio Joseph Petersen, in the Bronx on September 3, 1974, and from this union, their son, Christopher Michael Petersen was born. And though in 1985, this union did not last as long as she'd hoped for, Brenda, once again kept her faith in God and stood firm in the belief that He would see her through and shelter her and her young family. Brenda was right—God provided and saw her through—spectacularly!

Working her way up from a Personnel Assistant at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, she excelled so well at her job duties, that within 3 years, she was promoted to a Wage & Salary Analyst, and finally an Assistant Director of Personnel at The Mount Sinai Hospital Services at Elmhurst after only 10 years between 1974 through 1984. Being a single parent and providing everything for her children, while working full time and attending college in the evenings, Brenda once again kept her faith as she strived to achieve a better life for herself and her children. While working full-time, Brenda went onto earn a Fordham University degree.

Though Brenda had achieved much in public service at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, she wanted to do "more" and found herself called to work with young people by becoming a teacher. Brenda worked in education as a Family & Community Worker before becoming a licensed pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and Grades 1-6 teacher in 1999. She earned her Master of Science in Education degree from the New York Institute of Technology in June 2000. In 2008, she became a certified public school teacher, permanently licensed and recognized by the State of New York Education Department.

Yet, these accomplishments don't speak to who Brenda was. She was a woman of faith who never lost sight of the fact God loved her. She was a loving Mother who showed her children the steps towards their success, but she showed them to be good and kind people. She was a loving Sister to her Big Brother Billy whom she cared tremendously for and loved. She was a "Mama" to her students, their parents, and the entire Arthur Schomburg Elementary Public School 163x school community where she worked and later retired from in 2014. She was a caring and loving friend to those she worked with and to those she lived around in her apartment building. She took time out of her day to listen, share a meal, a laugh or hug and also to console others unselfishly, never asking anything in return. Brenda was the essence of love. All who knew her—family, friends, and some complete strangers she only said 'hi' to consistently or made laugh, will miss her. But we will not be too saddened because Lorraine Brenda's spirit is bigger than sadness. Her spirit is one of love and she rests now with our Heavenly Almighty Father, and with her parents, and brothers that predeceased her. All who knew her will take into their hearts Brenda's spirit of love and faith and be a bit comforted in her passing and rejoice that her spirit has returned to its source, Father God.

Lorraine Reed is survived by her three children Angela, Regina, and Christopher and eleven grandchildren (in chronological order), Timothy Shepherd ( Angela Smith ); Zoni Smith ( Regina Smith ); Asisa Petersen ( Christopher Petersen ); Lowen Smith ( Regina Smith ); Jaylin Petersen ( Christopher Petersen ); Bria Smith ( Regina Smith ); Rami Petersen ( Christopher Petersen ); Emmanuel Sostre ( Angela Smith ); Khalil Petersen, Tariq Petersen, and Avianna Petersen ( Christopher Petersen ).

By her eldest brother, William Arthur Reed, Jr., his wife Dee Reed ( deceased ) and their children Jazmin Reed and Reginald Reed. By Evelyn Reed ( deceased ) ex-spouse of William Arthur Reed, Jr., and their children William Reed (& family), Derrick Reed ( deceased ) (& family), Dwayne Reed and his spouse Janice Reed (& family).

Lorraine's second brother Phillip Reed ( deceased ), his spouse, Minister Shirley Reed, and their children Kim Michele Reed-Butler, her spouse, Reginald Butler, and their children, Phillip (& family), Travi, and Jarrhett. Tanji Philicia Reed-Marshall, her spouse, Robert R. Marshall, and their children Robert R. Marshall, II and Aerin Marshall-Barnes (& family).

Lorraine's baby brother, Timothy Wayne Reed ( deceased ).

And numerous cousins, including the Youmans family of Springfield, Massachusetts, who were all dearly loved by her. Lorraine also leaves behind a host of very dear friends and her students who are too numerous to name, but whom she cherished.