‘“I’ve cried buckets of tears through the years for my beautiful browned eyed girl” — Van Morrison. As a child this was her song.

Marlena (Mina) Rochelle Neely was born on March 17, 1989, in Arcata, California, and went on to the next level, November 15, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.

Marlena had a fond love for Elvis Presley, listening and singing to his music played on a boombox she carried around the house. After watching her first Elvis movie she was hooked and had her own collection of movies on VHS tapes.

Marlena attended mass at Christ the King Catholic Church and was one of the first girls allowed to be an Alter Server. Marlena loved to read, an interest she shared with her grandmother, Wanda Hudson. They often spent time together talking about what they were reading and what they had recently read. She also knew how to put her thoughts and feelings into words and created books of poetry that others purchased online.

Marlena loved animals, especially cats and horses. She once rescued a cat from two older boys who were abusing the cat and named him “Philly Cheesesteak.” She was not afraid of anything or anyone, even at an early age. She also had a horse named “Pepper.” She kept her horse at her Grandparents home, and this afforded her many opportunities to spend time with them, strengthening their bond.

As a young lady, Marlena gave birth to her first son, Dominic Phines. Dominic was raised by his grandparents and became a little brother to her younger siblings. She later married Alejandro Barajas and had two sons, Alejandro and Rickie Barajas.

Marlena is survived by her mother Andrea Hudson Neely; sons Dominic Phines, Alejandro and Rickie Barajas; grandparents Charles and Wanda Hudson; siblings Bryce (Mariana) Neely, Michele Fisher, and Marisa Neely (Alex Gasper); uncles Greg Hudson and Danny Neely; aunts Diana Gier, Teresa (Jon) Daigneault, Carolyn (Mike) Smith, Darlene Neely and Michele (Ed) Gnadig; nieces Jaylee Smith, Khalia Kennedy, Brandi Fisher, Josie and Delani Neely, Alina and Viviana Gasper and nephew Marshall Reed. Marlena is also survived by many cousins. Marlena was preceded in death by her father Larry Neely, grandparents Pat and Chuck Neely, her special cousin Chuckie Hudson, cousins Crystal and Allen Neely and her aunt Patty Vizena.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, June 15, beginning with family attending mass at Christ the King Catholic Church in McKinleyville at 9 a.m., followed by a reception at the home of her mother. Marlena’s cremains will remain with her mother in McKinleyville.

“Children are a gift and blessing from God, but they are not ours to keep. We mourn for Marlena who has been called back by God.”

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Marlena Neely’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.