Marlene Barcenas

Marleny “Marlene” Bárcenas

August 27, 1945 - September 29, 2025

Paterson, New Jersey

Marleny “Marlene” Barcenas passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, September 29, 2025. Throughout her entire life she fervently held onto her great family values that both her parents and older sisters had instilled in her, her faith in God, her love for teaching and education and for her acts of community service. Born on August 27, 1945 in a historic city, in the heart of the Caribbean coast of her native country Colombia, is where Marlene’s first footprints in life initiated. She later on established her roots in the city of Paterson, N.J., where she raised her family with her loving husband. Marlene’s career and main vocation was being a teacher both in her native country and later on in New Jersey and New York. In the city of Paterson she worked in the early childhood educational field and in New York City’s school district she taught as a special education teacher. On her personal time, Marlene was committed to doing vast works of community service through much dedication and pure-hearted tenacity. She shared words of encouragement, positivity and faith to anyone and everyone she ever met and crossed paths with in life. Additionally, Marlene was one of the founding members of the Paterson Eastside Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church where she proudly attended. Through her fellowship there she further assisted her church, along with other members, in expanding grassroots efforts and outreach in the city of Paterson through food pantry services, a mobile health fair she coordinated with St. Joseph’s Hospital and other acts of community service. She is reunited in Heaven with her beloved parents, older siblings, her dear friends who have passed and lastly, her sweet dogs: Buttons and Jazzy. Her endearing life, the memories of her and her bright light continues to be carried on by her survived loving husband of over 50 years, her two daughters, her kind son-in-law and her precious grandchildren. She is remembered for her strength and courageous essence of a mother, for her love of poetry, of writing, of reading, for her favorite color yellow and for the sounds of her singing that filled the rooms of her home with a sweet and loving melody. Mami, you will forever be remembered and deeply missed by your family and by all who knew you. Love you. A private family viewing was held and facilitated by Alvarez Funeral Home in Passaic, New Jersey in honor of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to your local shelter and/or food pantry of your choice.