Coleen Colette Hanna-Dean

Coleen Colette Hanna-Dean Age 54 Years of Seymour Close, off Cowpen Road,taught her final Class, at Doctors Hospital on Wednesday, June 03, 2026.

She was born at Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas on Sunday, July 24, 1971. She was the youngest of nine children and grew up alongside her siblings in the Windsor Place Subdivision. Affectionately known as “Coley,” she was truly the apple of her father's eye. The special bond they shared endured throughout her life and remained one of her most treasured relationships.

In 1976, Coley began her educational journey at Claridge Primary School. She later attended C. I. Gibson Junior High School and R. M. Bailey Senior High School, graduating in 1989. Her love for learning and passion for helping others eventually led her to pursue a career in education. In 2002, she graduated from the College of The Bahamas with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Teaching was not merely Coley's profession; it was her calling. She was a remarkable educator—creative, compassionate, and deeply committed to the success of every child entrusted to her care. Her personal library was filled with educational books and teaching resources, reflecting her lifelong dedication to learning. She often spoke about her students, their potential, and the ways she hoped to help them grow and succeed.

As a team leader, she cared just as deeply about the teachers she mentored. She generously shared resources, offered encouragement, and worked tirelessly—often on weekends and late into the night—to fulfill her responsibilities. She poured her heart and soul into every school she served and every child she taught. To many students, she was more than a teacher; she was an advocate, a guide, and a source of unwavering support.

Yet, beyond the classroom, Coley was known for her joyful spirit. She was vibrant, full of life, and always ready with a joke. During one family vacation, despite the fact that we were hopelessly lost in Orlando, she could be heard giggling in the back seat. Her famous expressions included, “Jesus, take the wheel!” and “Buy grabs!” After saying them, she would burst into laughter—and before long, the rest of us would be laughing too.

Though she loved to laugh, Aunty Coley lived a simple and peaceful life. You could usually find her at home reading, working on an arts and crafts project, coloring—her favorite pastime—or enjoying a good Lifetime movie. She found joy in life's simple pleasures and never needed much to make her happy.

Above all else, Coley loved her family. She was kind-hearted, selfless, and always looking out for her many nieces and nephews. One summer, she filled the family pool so all of us could enjoy ourselves. Not only did she prepare it, but she jumped right in and splashed around with us. Yes, Aunty Coley was exactly that kind of fun-loving aunt.

It was perhaps this warm and joyful personality that first captured the heart of Ty Dean. The two met in the 1990’s while Coleen was working as a parking attendant. Family members still smile when recalling the story of Tye arriving in his candy-red Mustang, dressed in his neatly starched jeans. To Coley, he seemed not only handsome and charming, but strikingly reminiscent of her beloved father. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a loving relationship, and before long they were inseparable.

Over the years, their bond deepened through shared experiences, laughter, and unwavering companionship. On July 14, 2015, Coley and Ty exchanged vows and began a new chapter together as husband and wife. From that day forward, she proudly became Mrs. Coleen Hanna Dean, carrying into marriage the same kindness, devotion, and warmth that had always defined her.

Her devotion to family extended far beyond moments of fun. During the early stages of her father's battle with dementia, she played a critical role in ensuring that he received his medication, paid his bills, and received the care he needed. She carried these responsibilities faithfully and without complaint, even when others felt the burden was overwhelming. Caring for those she loved was simply who she was.

Despite living with diabetes for many years, Coley remained disciplined and determined. She carefully monitored her blood sugar levels, maintained detailed records, prepared her own meals, and followed a strict dietary regimen. Even while on vacation, she packed lunches to ensure she remained healthy and on track.

Yet despite her diligence and strength, her health began to decline. Coley found herself facing one of the greatest challenges of her life. Yet her faith and trust in God did not diminished. Still, Coley remained a fighter.

One memory from those final weeks continues to bring smiles through our tears. Coley became determined to get a Kit Kat bar. She called family members near and far, and for all we know, she may have been calling throughout the islands in search of one. My cousin Jade even received a voice note instructing her to bring a Kit Kat in her bag during her next hospital visit. We laughed at her persistence, never imagining that such a simple request would become one of the treasured memories we now hold so dear.

We gathered around her bedside. We cried, we prayed, and we surrounded her with warmth and love until the very end. Though she could no longer speak, the gentle nod of her head and the faint squeeze of her hand assured us that she could still hear us and feel our presence.

On 3rd June 2026, Coleen Hanna Dean peacefully took her final breath.

While our hearts grieve her absence, we celebrate a life well lived—a life marked by kindness, service, faithfulness, laughter, and love. Coley touched countless lives through her work as an educator, her devotion as a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and her unwavering commitment to those she cared about.

Well done, Coley. Your work here is complete, but your legacy of love, service, and laughter lives on in every life you touched.

Coleen is preceded in death by her:
Mother: Martha Louise Knowles-Hanna;

The Radiance of this “Ruby of A Gem” will always glow in the hearts of her:
Husband: Tyrone Livingstone Dean;
Two Sons: Valentino and Tyrone Dean Jr.;
One Daughter: Tyler Dean-Cash (DeAngelo Sr.);
Seven Grandsons: Malachi Deveaux, DeAngelo Jr. and Jeremiah Cash, Valentino Jr., Kobe, Tyrone III and Tyrell Dean;
Three Granddaughters: Tyria and Keren Cash and Valencia Dean;
Father: Brady Leon Hanna;
Three Brothers: Esley (Marsha), Denver (Elizabeth) and Andre Hanna (Patrice);
Three Sisters: Wendy, Dale and Esther Hanna;
Eight Nephews: Anton (Jequel), Chet, Leonlee, Lopez, Denver Jr. and Denreno Hanna, Jerome Bonaby (Glendira) and Shavargo Wells;
Eight Nieces: Sherrel Johnson, Lazell (Rashede) and Jade Taylor, Wendalyn Hutchinson (Stan), Deandre, Denise, Denrica and Danaria Hanna;
Three Uncles: Brenville and Michael Hanna and Harold Gray;
Six Aunts: Lenora Williams, Urismae Nottage, Patsy Thurston, Mary, Emmerine and Viola Gray;
Thirteen: Grandnephews;
Eight: Grandnieces;
Cousins Including: Rudolph Minnis, Marvalee Coakley, Nadine Hope, Patricia and Paul Johnson, Janet Ferguson, Milton and Andrew Culmer, Larry and Lenora Sweeting, Patrice Hepburn, Lilllian Deveaux, Antionette Rolle, Chavon Newbold, Angela Wilkinson, Daniel and Dwight Knowles, Vanette, Suzette, Janet and Kelvin Hanna and Portia Gray;
Sisters-in-law: Stephanie Deveaux and Deborah Smith;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Margaret Moxey, Jaqueline Deleveaux-Sands, Nathaniel Adams, Principal Ms. Shilean Wallace and Stephen Dillet Primary School Family, Natasha Cunningham, Maria Alcee, Denise Ferguson, Debbie Minnis, Pastor Timothy Johnson (COGOF) Soldier Road, Darrin Rolle, Andre Maynard, Christabel Johnson, Natasha and Alan Adderley, Craig Flowers, Cleophas Longley, Harrison Burrows, Seymour Close Neighborhood, Windsor Place Neighborhood, Pastor Mario Moxey, Pastor Hervis Bain III and The Bahamas Harvest Church family.