Deneen Lee Pruden

Deneen Lee Pruden was born on September 21, 1964, in Middletown, Ohio, to Leslie and Dorothy Pruden.  She was called home on May 22, 2020.  She was preceded in death by: both of her parents Leslie and Dorothy Pruden, her sister Marla Pruden and her brother Brian Pruden.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband Hoyt “Chubby”Riley, her only son Issacc Pruden, her step-children: Kelly Riley, Kevin Riley, and Heather Riley, her sister Carla Stokes, her three brothers: Leslie Pruden Sr. “Vera Gaines”, Lance Pruden “Missy Pruden”, and Cory Pruden “Holly Schneider”, her grandchildren: Destin, Iah, Ava, Promise, Ay’vrey,  and her nieces: Letitia Trotter, LaTina Pruden, Monique Pruden, Keyara Pruden, Christen Pruden, Shalance Pruden, Andrea Abram, Ajhea Pruden, Jodeci Pruden, Arianna Pruden and her nephews: Leslie Pruden Jr., Andre Pruden and her best friend Valerie Hunter and a host of other relatives and friends.

Deneen lovingly known as Nene worked for the Middletown City School District for 28 years.  She was the lunch lady at Middletown High School for 20 of those years.  I say the lunch lady because every child that came through that cafeteria knew her.  They knew that they could count on that beautiful smile of hers, unsolicited advice and a little fun every single day.  When she wasn’t feeding children in the cafeteria of Middletown Highschool she was feeding them in the local elementary schools and churches during the summer.  She worked for the Carel Cosby Summer food for kids program for over 10 years.  She worked at sites all over the city from Oneida Elementary to Townhomes West.  She filled the bellies of children with food, love and laughter 365 days a year.

When Deneen wasn’t feeding children she was feeding her family.  She loved to cook.  She would tweak recipes from school or whip up something new from leftovers and give it a crazy name.  Her favorite thing in the world to do was BBQ.  She would fix up her famous macaroni and cheese and baked beans and the party was on.  Deneen loved to be surrounded by family and friends, the more the merrier.  She never met a stranger.  When you walked in her front door she offered you a plate and drink.  When you left you were family.

Deneen was one of a kind.  To know her, was to love her.  She was the kindest soul you could ever meet.  Nene loved to have fun, she loved adventure, she loved to shop and most importantly; she loved her family and her friends.  She will truly be missed.

The family of Deneen Pruden would like to thank all of their family and friends who have been so very kind and thoughtful to them during their hour of mourning.  We have been deeply moved and comforted by your calls, visits, and prayers.  We sincerely thank you for your condolences and sympathy.  We hold her dear in our hearts and we appreciate you all.

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