Marcena Thompson

Marcena was Born on May 30, 1943 in Woodburn, Oregon to Alice Reta Ratigan and Clarence Wallace Dean Johnson. She was preceded in death by her daughter Sonia Stringer and her husband Robert (Bo) Thompson. She is survived by daughters August (Paul) Garcia, Rachel (Tim) Gibbs, Marcena Flynn, Dawnmar Upchurch and a son Ysrael Castillo. She has 13 grandchildren, Rebekah (Chase), Aaron (Chantel), Alex (Natalie), Michele (Jason), Robert (Shannon), Kalin, Megan (Alex). Ella, Logan R. Logan, Landon, Lukas and Juliette. She also has 9 great grandchildren, Violet, Riley, Cora, Jaxon, Kane, Julia (Juju), Scarlett, Jade, and Dominic. Marcena was a spitfire, red headed gypsy, always on the move. She held many jobs, starting as a candy stripe nurse, stenographer, physical therapist, secretary, owned a restaurant, school bus driver for Boone Transportation and Japanese Airforce. She gardened, raised animals, was involved with genealogy, and weaving until the end. Her biggest and most memorable achievement is the care and love she gave. She always fought hard for those she loved right or wrong, it always came from her heart. We would also acknowledge extended family and friends, brother Gerry Johnson, nieces Kristie Lee Johnson and Wendy Myers, sons-in-law Tullio Cardone, Billy Mahan. Daughter-in- law Nicole DuPlanty, Linda and Dimitri, Jason and Marty, Emma Rose and Melissa, Her best friends for over 40 years, Angie Williams and Dorothy Maya, also newer friends Susan Jewel, Tim Jenkins and Araceli Berry. You were always in contact with her and visited when you could, and we thank you! Marcena passed away comfortably at home on April 6, 2023, in Las Cruces, NM surrounded by her caregivers August and Paul Garcia and Rebekah, Aaron, Chantel, Natalie, Dorothy, some of her great grandchildren, her dog Rascal, and her cat Rosie. She will be laid to rest with her Sweetheart at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX at a later date.