Obituary of Diana Coleman

Obituary Diana Coleman was born February 20, 1954 at Lincoln Hospital, Bronx, New York to the late Flora Coleman and James Coleman . Her early childhood years were spent in Brooklyn, NY until the family relocated to Lakeview, NY in the early 1960's. There she attended Davidson Avenue and Woodfield Road elementary schools . The family moved to Roosevelt in 1966. Diana attended Freeport High School where she earned her high school diploma in 1971. On March 14, 1972, she gave birth to her pride and joy, Sylenia. When she enrolled Sylenia into the Roosevelt Headstart Program, a passion was ignited in Diana that became the essence of who she was. A champion for children, the underprivileged and disenfranchised. For many years, Diana worked at Equitable Life Assurance in Garden City, NY and The Guardian in Manhattan as a health insurance specialist before settling into her position as the health administrator The Economic Opportunity Commission in Hempstead, NY. Diana had the tenacity and true courage to be the "ringleader" for any just cause. Her dedication as a community activist has reaped her many rewards, too numerous to count. Some notable highlights of her career include co-founding the Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund which enabled minority children to attend college in 1988. She was the first African-American chairperson on the Nassau County Board of Health. She served on the Board of Directors of the Nassau EOC for many years. Diana was one of six plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging Nassau County's tax assessment system in the 1990's. She also co-chaired the Long Island Progressive Coalition and was a prominent figure in the Working Party Family. Diana's prolific deeds could go on forever. She was truly a heroic woman. When Diana wasn't marching or protesting with a bullhorn, she was "heading down that road" to Atlantic City. She relished getting one of the "elite suites" to relax (and pull that slot machine) for the weekend. She also loved cooking up something good in the kitchen. In her younger days, she was quite the seamstress, creating beautiful garments. She was extremely artistic as well, enjoying sketching and painting. Diana was truly a colorful woman of many talents and dedication. Her legacy of strength will continue to live on in the many lives she has impacted. On January 10, 2015, this trailblzer departed this life suddenly to move on to stir things up in Heaven. Diana is preceded in death by her sister Barbara Adams and brother Thomas Coleman. She leaves to mourn her brokenhearted yet lovingly devoted family: daughter, Sylenia Farris of Roosevelt, granddaughter Diana Farris (her namesake) and grandson Devon Farris. Three sisters, Sylvia Wright (Eugene) of Freeport, NY, Carolyn Grimes (Eddie) of Tampa, Fl and June Hardy of Wheatley Heights, NY. Two brothers, Donald Coleman(Germina) of Hempstead, NY(her twin) and Dennis Coleman(Phyllis) of Brentwood, NY. A host of beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and multitude of extended family and friends that make up her community. Diana, we will love you and remember you through all eternity.