Audrey Denise Quantano

Audrey Denise Quantano (Adderton) Legacy of Faith, Perseverance, Resilience, Limitless Vision, and Lifelong Friendship Audrey Denise Quantano (Adderton) was born February 6th, 1959 in New York City, NY. She was the eldest child to the late Patricia Ellen Adderton and Rev. James A. Newton. Audrey was raised in Harlem, New York and moved to Frederick Douglass Houses in 1967; into building 860 Columbus Avenue, establishing lifelong friendships and connections. Audrey grew up in Mt. Olive Fire Baptized Holiness Church, an active participant in the youth ministries and Sunday School department. Audrey was educated in New York City Public Schools and graduated from Martin Luther King High School. Audrey desired to trailblaze her own path, cultivating new passions and exploring new places. After receiving her high school diploma, she went to pursue her interests in fashion, arts and culture by enrolling at Bauder Fashion College in Miami, FL in 1979. At Bauder, Audrey explored coursework in Fashion Design, Textiles, Visual Image and Make up. She simultaneously enlisted in the United States Army in September, 1979 commencing basic training in January, 1982. In the army, Audrey achieved the rank of Private First Class, serving as an Administrative Specialist. Her military decoration includes the Army Service Ribbon and the Marksmanship Badge. Audrey also served in Exercise REFORGER 82, serving as a member of the 1st Infantry Division in Germany. Audrey’s military service culminated in April, 1988 when she received Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. Following her military service, Audrey returned to Harlem and established herself as a successful and triumphant leader in the Food Services Industry. She completed training at the French Culinary Institute and established her own catering service, Harlem Pleasures. She led an extraordinary culinary career, bridging her love of food, community building and Harlem, contributing at many of our notable Harlem dining establishments such as Sylvia’s, Amy Ruths and Red Rooster. In more recent years, Audrey returned to her beauty and artistic passions pursuing certification in beauty and cosmetology at the Lia Schorr Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care Training. Through her many interests, Audrey never let anything stop her in life. She endeavored to use her unique interests and talents to bring people together and advocate for others. Audrey’s life is a true testament to God’s power of resilience, renewal through adversity, limitless potential, dreams and vision. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia Ellen Adderton (2024) and Rev. James Newton (2002). She leaves behind to celebrate her life and represent her legacy, her beloved children; Shreeta Quantano, Atlanta, GA; Ian Quantano, New York, NY; Kenneth Michael Quantano, New York, NY; her new legacy in her 3 grandchildren, Tamia Quantano; Tristan Quantano; and Grace Hightower. She also leaves behind her sister, Annette Adderton; her beloved nephew, Bryan Adderton; her niece, Tamari Lewis (Adderton); great nephews, Myles Lewis and Elias Adderton, and great niece, Myayr Lewis; a host of cousins; Audrey’s chosen sisters since 8 years old: Janice Ray Ware, Wanda Worthy Gulley, Lynn Sewell, Shari Redmond (deceased) as well as close friend Paula Coleman. For Audrey, being a friend that was more like family, was an innate part of her life, she leaves behind a community of mourners from many facets of her life. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, Georgia 30034.

Tributes

Audrey Denise Quantano

February 6, 1959 - February 22, 2025