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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Irene "Rene" Pettiford, Jr.
Irene "Rene"
Pettiford, Jr.
May 14, 1960 — Mar 10, 2016
Irene "Rene" Pettiford, Jr.'s Obituary
Irene (Rene) Pettiford, Jr. was the daughter of the late Samuel Pettiford, II and the late Rosetta W. Pettiford. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 14, 1960 and departed this life on March 10, 2016 at her home.
Though she was speechless and confined to a wheelchair, her family made sure that she experienced all that life had to offer. Irene went to church, birthday parties, and cookouts; she was a regular at Walmart.
She was a very sassy dresser even though she could not wear shoes and always snatched socks off of her feet. She loved music and reacted when she heard her favorite songs being played.
Though it may seem that she did not understand what was going on around her, Irene did show emotion; silently grieving for lost loved ones.
Rene did not speak, but grandma gave her two words that would take her through life. Those words were "good, good" for eating and "Ma" if she wanted attention. She knew how to use these words very well. Everyone that came into contact with her immediately fell in love with her.
Other children in the family treated her like a baby, laughing and playing with her, and even trying to massage her legs. It is amazing how many lives Rene touched through the grace of God.
Irene leaves to cherish her memories: four brothers; Taft Pettiford of Pennsylvania, Antonio Pettiford (Deborah) of Ohio, Lenny Pettiford, and Paul (Quilisha) Pettiford, both of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Toi-Ling (Yogi) Pettiford of Brooklyn, NY; one uncle, Dennis Pettiford of Jamesville, NC; a special uncle, Richard Duggins; and one aunt Lucinda Pettiford of Brooklyn, NY.
She is also survived by six very special cousins; Ronnie and Louise Simmons; Iesha Pettiford, her CNA who made sure Irene was clean and fed with love; Nicholas Simmons, her personal butler; Ronnie Pettiford and Warren Pettiford, her helpers, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Irene's father, Samuel Pettiford; mother, Rosetta Pettiford; grandfathers, Tom Shepard and Samuel G. Pettiford, Sr.; grandmother, Irene B. Pettiford, Sr.; sister, Betty (Big Betty), and brother Samuel Pettiford, III, all preceded her in death.
Though she was speechless and confined to a wheelchair, her family made sure that she experienced all that life had to offer. Irene went to church, birthday parties, and cookouts; she was a regular at Walmart.
She was a very sassy dresser even though she could not wear shoes and always snatched socks off of her feet. She loved music and reacted when she heard her favorite songs being played.
Though it may seem that she did not understand what was going on around her, Irene did show emotion; silently grieving for lost loved ones.
Rene did not speak, but grandma gave her two words that would take her through life. Those words were "good, good" for eating and "Ma" if she wanted attention. She knew how to use these words very well. Everyone that came into contact with her immediately fell in love with her.
Other children in the family treated her like a baby, laughing and playing with her, and even trying to massage her legs. It is amazing how many lives Rene touched through the grace of God.
Irene leaves to cherish her memories: four brothers; Taft Pettiford of Pennsylvania, Antonio Pettiford (Deborah) of Ohio, Lenny Pettiford, and Paul (Quilisha) Pettiford, both of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Toi-Ling (Yogi) Pettiford of Brooklyn, NY; one uncle, Dennis Pettiford of Jamesville, NC; a special uncle, Richard Duggins; and one aunt Lucinda Pettiford of Brooklyn, NY.
She is also survived by six very special cousins; Ronnie and Louise Simmons; Iesha Pettiford, her CNA who made sure Irene was clean and fed with love; Nicholas Simmons, her personal butler; Ronnie Pettiford and Warren Pettiford, her helpers, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Irene's father, Samuel Pettiford; mother, Rosetta Pettiford; grandfathers, Tom Shepard and Samuel G. Pettiford, Sr.; grandmother, Irene B. Pettiford, Sr.; sister, Betty (Big Betty), and brother Samuel Pettiford, III, all preceded her in death.
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