Obituary of Dr. Charlene Curtis-Thomas

Born in Alexandria, Virginia on December 5th, 1989, to Dorothea and Charles (deceased), Dr. Charlene Andrea Curtis-Thomas was known to those around her as an ambitious, determined, and classy young lady. Her education began at day care in Arlington, Virginia, and when her family relocated to Maryland, she attended Allenwood Elementary School. After moving to New Jersey, she attended middle school at All Saints Catholic School and high school at Life Center Academy, both of which produced lifelong friendships that continued until her passing. Growing up, Charlene was a studious child who always sought out knowledge, advice, and opportunities to assist others whenever it was needed. Her undergraduate education was at the University of Maryland, College Park where she graduated with honors in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Charlene’s lifelong dream from an early age was to become a medical doctor, following in her father’s footsteps. After her undergraduate education, she pursued that dream at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. She matched for her medical residency at Nassau University Medical Center, where she worked tirelessly to save countless lives, learn from her peers, and mentor other up and coming doctors in the profession until her passing. In her free time, Charlene loved to create community for those around her, and could often be found hosting gatherings with her friends, co-workers, and loved ones in her home. Ranging from birthday parties to paint-and-sip sessions, Charlene was able to bring her infectious energy and light up any room she entered. She loved to travel, with her most recent trips being to Cancun, France, and Italy. Anyone close to her knew that Drake was her favorite artist, and she could often be found singing all his top hits during her daily commutes. Her preferred print was leopard skin, which perfectly matched her affectionate love of cats, having adopted two, Niko and Xyla (she fondly called them Oluwaniko and Adexyla). She loved African food ever since she was first fed it by her grandmother, Madam Hetty Fumikeh Jones (deceased), her favorite African foods being foo foo with egusie soup and fried fish with cassava bread. Charlene was dedicated to service for mankind and making a difference in the lives of others. She encouraged many to pursue their dreams and even inspired some of her colleagues to attend medical school. Her strength and tenacity to succeed willed Charlene to do whatever it took to accomplish her dreams. She was loving, kind, patient, respectful, uplifting, and above all else knew and loved the Lord. She is survived by her mother Dorothea Daisy Allen; stepfather Reginald George Allen; siblings Charles, Roxane, Calvin, and Zane. Several aunts and uncles, including Augusta (Femi), Gifty, Hector (Maysel), Lucinda (Willie), Philip (Nancy), Dr. Lloyd (Francess), Vidal, Dolcie (Ronald), Patience, Milton (Cheryl), Dorothy, Gladys (Ronald), James (Florence), Daniel, Alaphia, George, Emmanuel, and Linda (Horatio); her goddaughter Jezreel, as well as several cousins, relatives, and close friends in the USA, UK, and Sierra Leone, from her academic and social life. She is