Delores Jessie Greenlee, affectionately known as “DeeDee,” entered into eternal rest on September 9, 2025, at the age of 65. Born on April 8, 1959, in New Haven, Connecticut, she lived a life of service, scholarship, and deep devotion to her family, her community, and her faith.
The daughter of the late Rufus and Delores Greenlee, Delores was raised in New Haven alongside her siblings. She is survived by her loving brother, Eugene Goodson of Massachusetts; her devoted niece, Jennifer F. Wells Jackson (Allen); her nephew, Anthony M. Wells; her niece, Phaedra Ebron; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends. She also leaves behind her cherished sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with whom she shared 47 years of scholarship, service, and sisterhood.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Virginia Greenlee Wells and Joyce Turner; her brother, Elwood Edward Goodson (Barbara); brothers-in law Marshall Wells and Harold Turner and her parents, Rufus and Delores Greenlee.
A gifted student, Delores graduated from Wilbur Cross High School at just 16 years old. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in public health from Southern Connecticut State University.
Her distinguished career spanned over three decades in public health, with a lifelong commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and serving marginalized communities. Most recently, she served as the Section Chief of STD/HIV/TB/Viral Hepatitis for the Connecticut Department of Public Health. She previously held leadership positions at the Cornell Scott – Hill Health Center, the New Haven Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS, the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Project, the Rapid Assessment Response and Evaluation Project, the AIDS Interfaith Network, and New Haven Healthy Start. Known for her visionary leadership, Delores dedicated her life to raising awareness, eliminating stigma, and creating lasting impact, particularly within Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Beyond her professional life, Delores lived with passion and joy. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. since 1978, she was instrumental in founding scholarship programs and served tirelessly in the New Haven Alumnae Chapter. Her commitment to service extended to organizing fundraisers such as the inaugural Knickerbockers Golf Club tournament, where proceeds supported HIV/AIDS initiatives at AIDS Interfaith Network. A woman of deep faith, she was a devoted Christian who lived out her love of God through service to others. Known for her warm spirit, she believed that once she was connected to someone, that bond was forever. She was also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, and her loyalty to the team was as unwavering as her loyalty to her loved ones.
Delores’s legacy is one of love, faith, and service. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those whose lives she touched.
Homegoing Services will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Bethel AME Church, 255 Goffe Street, New Haven, CT, with officiants from Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, Hamden, CT. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery Crematorium. A repast will be held at the Knickerbockers Golf Club, 715 Sherman Parkway, at 2:00 PM.