Debra Susan Brooken

Debra Susan Brooken was born on May 3, 1953 in Sanford, FL, the 5th child of Clyde, Sr. and Margaret Brooken. The family settled in Rochester, NY, where she attended elementary school and then Franklin High School. Debra and her high school sweetheart, John, eventually married and had three children.

Debra was predeceased by her parents and siblings Jacqueline (Gerald) Brooken-Lawson, Daoud (Clyde, Jr.) Abdoullah, and David Brooken. She is survived by her children Kendall (Steven) Bell, Erika Blackwell-Wilson and Jason (Molly) Blackwell; grandchildren Rachele Wilson, Taylor Bell, John Wilson, Morgan Bell, Erik Wilson, Erin Bell, Maya Blackwell, and Adam Blackwell; great-grandchildren Naeomi Wilson and Alana Snead; siblings Linda Brooken and Michael Brooken; and a host of other relatives.

Professionally, Debra was drawn to occupations where she could help others, whether it was working at the Department of Social Services, or later as a caregiver. She often shared accounts of the people she encountered and her desire to do everything in her power to help them have the most favorable outcomes.

Ultimately, Debra’s legacy is the powerful love she bestowed on her loved ones each and every day. Not a day passed that her children, their children, and their children questioned Debra’s love and devotion. She gave all she had and always ended a conversation or a visit with, “I love you”.

There will be a service on Saturday, February 15 at 12pm, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 2636 Ridgeway Avenue. 

I remember Grandma taking me to the Greece Ridge mall when I was 9 or 10 and going shopping. We shared so many laughs and good times. - Adam

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Grandma always called me her 'Dolly'. I remember her coming to a softball game and both of our faces lighting up when we saw each other. I ran over to give her the biggest hug. She was and will always be so proud of her family. I will love and miss you forever. Love always, your Dolly. - Maya

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I remember going to New Jersey with Tay every summer visiting Grandma and Joesph. Going to NYC, Perth Amboy and getting lost in the Bronx at 1am eating random street meat from a restaurant alley window. I wish more than anything we could have one more adventure together. I love and miss you so much grandma -Your Nubian Granddaughter - Rachele

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One of my favorites is when after Naeomi was born we all went over shortly after and she got to meet her for the first time that was beautiful - John

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One of my favorite memories was always going to her apartment downtown and she'd let me take the laundry down and we'd play games sometimes on the way down - Erik

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My favorite memory of grandma is when she would take me to interviews and we would just talk and catch up. It was like our time. Nothing else mattered. And going to New Jersey almost every summer until she moved back. Some of the best times, she always told me how beautiful I was. – Taylor

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One of my favorite memories is the first time grandma met Alana her face lit up and she was so happy…and her taking us to swim practices. - Morgan

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There are too many to choose. - Erin