Sheneke Brownlow did everything she could in the 33 years of her life.
She skied, bowled, played basketball, worked at a job and volunteered for organizations.
She died at University of Colorado Hospital on Wednesday. A service is planned for 11 a.m. today at Shorter A.M.E. Church, 3100 Rich ard Allen Court. The cause of death hasn’t been determined, said her mother, Stephanie Townsend.
Brownlow, who had developmental disabilities, earned many Special Olympics medals. Also, she was active in the Denver Parks and Recreation Olympics program.
“She loved life, people, her dog and being on the go,” her mother said.
Cathy Smith, who coached Brownlow in skiing when she was in high school, said her student “just wanted to be involved and not be left behind.”
Smith and Brownlow skied tethered so Smith could guide her student. “She tried hard at everything,” Smith said.
Brownlow and her mother were named the outstanding family in the 2001 Special Olympics.
“She did everything to the best of her ability, and in the Special Olympics, everyone is a winner,” said Freda Davenport, manager of the Denver Metro Special Olympics.
Brownlow was named sergeant-at-arms at Olympics committee meetings and was strict about keeping things moving, Davenport said.
“Some of us get to be chatty Cathys. She didn’t like that,” Davenport said. When it was time for the meeting to end, Brownlow would say, “Come on, Freda, it’s time to go.”
Sheneke Arline Brownlow was born in Flushing, N.Y., on March 16, 1978. She was born with a chromosome problem and, at 3 months, was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. Doctors said she probably wouldn’t survive, her family said.
Brownlow and her mother moved to Denver when Brownlow was 4 years old because the New York climate was too damp and often brought on pneumonia, Townsend said.
Brownlow graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School.
She worked at Shalom Denver for more than 16 years, doing a variety of jobs, her mother said.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her father, Luther Brownlow of Brooklyn, N.Y., and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Virginia Culver: 303-954-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com
