Denise Carole Kirlew was born November 15, 1971, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, CT to parents David and Dorothy Kirlew. Denise was born into a heartbeat of a time that sought to find peace and community.

Her parents immigrated from Jamaica, West Indies into America, to Hartford Connecticut, away from their native home and into a country that didn't have a blueprint for their success. There was uncertainty in the air, but her father became the glue for her family and the West Indian community in Hartford CT. He would often times go out of his way to include friends and family in opportunities to work and celebrate together. Denise's early life was conditioned within this framework in mind, the goal of community building. Denise inevitably would become a part of this same fight So when Project Concern became a conversation in the Kirlew household, Denise was up for the challenge. Project Concern was an initiative created in 1966, providing an option for voluntary desegregation of schools. Project concern was seeking to enroll high performing students from Hartford. It would provide the opportunity for Denise to attend schools in West Hartford, CT, a neighboring town with new housing developments, retail and dining. The challenge for Denise would be to represent her ethnicity and culture in its highest form while performing at par or above her peers. Denise started at Whiting Lane, successfully matriculated through King Phillip Middle school and onto Hall High School. In November of 1987, Denise moved with her mother and brothers to Orlando, FL and graduated from Evans High School. After high school she attended Valencia Community College.

In 1995, Denise gave birth to her beautiful daughter Imani. Realizing she had two communities of family, one in Florida and one in Connecticut and she wanted her daughter to be a part of both. Denise relocated to her hometown and established employment with Savings Bank of Manchester. A natural for building community, her leadership skills were recognized and rewarded her the Lead Teller role with the bank. She committed her time and talents and remained an essential team member throughout a few bank acquisitions. She remained a central part of that community for over 20 years until parting ways with Key Bank in 2017 to return to Orlando.

There she reconnected with her Orlando family and ensured her daughter and granddaughter could have the opportunity to find closeness to her mother and extended family members Once settled in, she sought to continue her professional career in financial information management. She worked as a Financial Administrator for a group home that promotes the independence of adults with disabilities. She took on the responsibility of ensuring the home would adopt practices and procedures that would ensure its compliance and longevity. She enjoyed her work and truly enjoyed her family. She wanted to be present for everyone making no excuses, just being present for her mother, her daughter, her granddaughter and for work. Through it all she managed to smile and when she did, so did the whole room.

On February 5, 2025, Denise passed away at 10:48am after spending her final hours with family. Preceded in death: Father David Kirlew and brother Stephen Kirlew. She leaves behind: mother, Dorothy Kirlew, brother Robert Kirlew, daughter Imani Sharbaan, granddaughter Riley Sharbaan, Nieces Rebecca Austin, Quaneesha Kirlew, Aleesha Mierez and Tiffany Hyde nephews Izaeyah Kirlew, Karl Chapman and Remiel Kirlew. Her dear Aunts and Cousins, especially her beloved cousin Judith Palmer Lattimore.