Marina Rafaela Salazar de Peña

Mrs. Marina Rafaela Salazar de Peña, who was originally from the Dominican Republic and had lived in the United States for more than 40 years, died in Grand Rapids at the age of 90. Marina was born in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic on May 15, 1931. She was the daughter of Mr. Manuel De Jesús Salazar Vargas and Mrs. Aurelia Mena Ventura, in addition to being the third of 6 children.

Her primary studies were carried out at the primary school in her town, but Marina left school after the third grade to work on her father’s farm, where she spent 5 years out of school. Despite this, she still graduated on time and continued her studies at the Dominican Adventist College where she fulfilled her goal of becoming a Bible worker. During her time at the Dominican Adventist School, Marina worked as a second grade teacher and also as the school’s bursar.

Marina was married to Mr. Ramón Emilio Peña in July 1966 in Puerto Rico, where she was also bursar for the Adventist College of the Antilles. That same year they returned to the Dominican Republic until 1972, and during that time they fathered their first son, David. In 1972 the family moved back to Puerto Rico where they lived until 1976. During that time her daughter, Wendy was born.

In 1976 Marina came with her family to the United States, to the state of Michigan, and in 1977 they moved to the city of Grand Rapids. During that time, Marina worked in a laundry for many years and later in a butcher shop. She later worked with her husband at Butterworth Hospital for over 20 years. David and Wendy got married and gave them 7 grandchildren who Marina helped take care of when the children were young. She was a loving, hard-working and responsible mother and wife. She always cared about the welfare of her family. Marina is survived by her children, David and Wendy, as well as her sisters, Gloria and Josefa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. Relatives and friends may meet the family Monday from 10:00-11:00 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.