Sunrise: August 29, 1942 – Sunset: March 21, 2024
Serena Frances Campher, daughter of George Lee and Virginia Emma (Edlow) Darden, was born on August 29, 1942, she departed this life on March 12, 2024, at home.
Serena was educated in the Philadelphia School system. She attended Dunlap Elementary School, Shoemaker Junior High, and West Philadelphia High School, where she graduated in 1960. She played brass instruments in the school band and also played volleyball while attending West Philadelphia High School. After high school, she attended Glassboro Adult Evening School, where she studied Shorthand.
Serena worked for the City of Philadelphia until 1977. She embarked on a new career working for SEPTA in 1977, where she retired in 2005 after attaining the position of Executive Secretary.
While working for the City, she met her first husband, Robert P. Fluellen. To this union, her only child, Yusuf Fluellen, was born. After Robert and she parted, she met and married Gerald Campher, who preceded her in death.
Serena accepted Christ and was Baptized on April 29, 1956, at First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia. She went through Catholic Confirmation at Our Lady of Victory Church in Philadelphia in 1976.
She lived in Philadelphia until 1976, when she moved to North Hills, Pa. In 1978, she moved to Logan Township (Beckett), New Jersey. From Beckett, she moved to Deptford, New Jersey, and resided there until returning to Philadelphia in 1998.
Upon moving back to Philadelphia after living in New Jersey for 20+ years. She resumed her active membership in Our Lady of Victory until its closing and merger with Our Lady of the Rosary Church. After the merger of the two Churches and the subsequent merger with St. Cyprian, Serena continued her activities and volunteering efforts. She participated in multiple Church activities: GOD’s Housekeepers, Fundraiser, Eucharistic Minister, Rosary Club, Women of St. Cyprian Church, as well as traveling as a representative of St. Cyprian to various Catholic conferences up until her recent illness.
In addition to Serena’s Church activities, throughout her life, she also enjoyed bowling, dancing, roller skating, skiing, and traveling.
Serena had a strong sense of civic responsibility. She worked as a Philadelphia Elections Voting location worker at an early age and resumed those activities upon moving back to Philadelphia.
In addition, Serena was a Cub Scouts Den Mother, and upon retirement from SEPTA, she was a frequent volunteer with AARP’s West Park Chapter 4037.
Serena was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Gerald A. Campher; mother and father, Virginia and George Darden; sisters, Georgette Darden and Ocie Cooper.
Serena’s memory is left to be cherished by her son Yusuf Fluellen, and daughter-in-law Anita C. Sequeira; sister Gwendolyn Williams; grandchildren Tasia Fauntleroy, Lillian K. Stewart, Virgil B. Fluellen, Lucy S. Fluellen, and Filip J. Sequeira; great-granddaughter Dardyn; 4 nephews, three nieces, four cousins; adopted grandchildren Natalie, Cheyanne, Kaela, Camryn, Kyla, Terrance, Leon, Diamond, Imani, Tyrese and Carter; and many extended family members and friends.
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