b'OBITUARYAn Exceptional Woman of Purpose, Cleo Norma Breeze"Mylittlechildren,letusnotloveinwordorincation Cleo was a Proposal Reader in Adult Education tongue, but in both deed and in truth."1 John 3:18fortheColoradoDepartmentofEducationand (NKJV) the Colorado Community College and OccupationalCleo\'s StoryEducation System. She also taught at the Community CollegeofDenver,Cleojoinedthestaffatthe C leo Norma Breeze was born on August 25th inGovernor\'sJobTrainingOfficeastheManagerof Syracuse, New York as the only daughter of herOperations in 1987. She was hired as an Assistant parents, William Brent and Thelma Jeffries Brent.Principal at Kunsmiller Middle School of the Denver She grew up with two younger brothers, EdwardandPublic School in 1992, where she remained until her Charles Brent, whom she adored as their big sisterretirementin2006,afterretirementsheenjoyed throughout their lives. Her parents provided a lovingbeing a part-time after school tutor for theelementa-home environment where education was encouragedry school students and worked for the United States and respected, both parents worked hard to be ableCensus Bureau. to successfully provide for their family.As a person of faith since the age of 13 when she One of her fondest childhood memories was with her father, alsojoinedBethanyBaptistChurch,Cleoremaineda known as "Alfi Williams" in the boxing world, when he would returnfaithful dedicated Baptist her entire life. She joined home from the Scranton Pennsylvania area with loads of cash that heNew Hope Baptist Church and truly enjoyed serving had earned. It was primarily her mother, a teacher, that inspired CleoherchurchafterbeingappointedtotheBoardof to inter the same profession. After completing her public school edu- Trustees by Rev. Dr. James D. Peters .Jr. She also cation in Syracuse, Cleo attended Cheyney State Teachers Collegeserved as a member of the Condolence Committee. in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science degree inCleo was initiated in the Denver Alumnae Chapter Elementary Education.of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Inc. on June 5, 1976. ShelaterearnedaMasterofSciencedegreeinShelaterbecameaproudDiamondLifeMember. Communications with a Human Relations emphasisCommunity affairs and politics were her third and from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeleyfourth full-time jobs. Colorado.AdditionalstudiesculminatedintheShewasafounderandthethirdPresidentfor Secondary Principal\'s License via her studies at thetheColoradoBlackWomenforPoliticalAction University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. By pro- (CBWPA). She served as a Board Member of Gateway fession, Cleo taught in the public education schoolBattered Women\'s Shelter. The Mayor\'s CommissionHall of Fame.systemofSyracuse.NewYork;Cincinnati,Ohio,on Women, the Mayor\'s Black Advisory Committee,On February GA;23, 2022, Cleo received her wings, and Duluth, Minnesota prior to moving to Denver.amemberoftheCitizensforDenver\'sFuture,She was preceded in death by her parents and both Colorado.WhileinDuluthshetaughtinbothandtheStapletonTomorrowCitizensAdvisorybrothers.Sheleavestomournherpassing;Aunt elementaryandalternativeschools.In1975CleoCommittee. Her labor of love working on behalf ofIva- Harlow, Atlanta. GA; Stepson- Martin McNair, became the Director of the Office of Minority Affairsothers garnered her recognition from Colorado StateBaltimore, MD. Niece- Robbin Brent(Tony) Jackman. and Student Services in the Aurora Public SchoolsSenatorRegis Groff\'s for Community Service Award,West Palm Beach. FL. Nephew- Christopher Garrett (APS). Additionally in APS. She was a Grant WritertheInternationalBlackWomen\'sCongressDenverGraham, Syracuse. NY. A Host of Great Nephews and andCoordinatorforNativeAmericanEducation/Chapter\'sCommunityServiceAward.thePoliticsNieces,Family,SpecialSista\'s,AlumnaeChapter Tutorial Programs.Award from CBWPA, and an Excellence in EducationSororitysister\'s,andNewHopeBaptistChurch At various times during her lengthy career in edu- Award from the Colorado Gospel Music Academy andBoard of Trustees.16 APRIL 2022 BOCNEWS.com'