Marlene Cajuste

Marie Marlene Cajuste was born May 16th, 1951 in Duvalier-Ville, Haiti to the parentage of the late Gerald Cajuste and the late Marie Andrea Louis Jean. She was the 2nd eldest of 7 siblings, Marie Geralda Cajuste Blanc, Pierre Eden Cajuste, Marie Yanick Cajuste (deceased), Pierre Harry Cajuste (deceased), Marie Roselie Cajuste Barthemley, and Pierre Briel Cajuste. Marlene attended the "Ferme Ecole De Maneque Elementary School" in Cabaret where she obtained her Certificate of Primary Studies. She would then go on to attend the "Secondary Institution of Gerard Gourgue" located in Port-Au-Prince. While many girls her age would go on to study, cooking, and sewing, Marlene choose to attend "The Julian Carne Business School", where she obtained a certificate in type writing and administrative services. It didn’t end there however, since she was someone serious about her education, she also attended "The Business School of Maurice LaRoche". Due to her advanced skills and knowledge, she was able to land a position at Nielson where she worked as a secretary.

Though she had established herself, her ultimate dream was to come to America, and she did just that.

On May 16th, 1984, she would arrive to the United States and settled in Elizabeth, NJ with her uncle, the Late Paul Cajuste.

 In 1985, she would go on to attend cosmetology school and graduate the following year.

She would then move to Orange, NJ, where she would live for 14 years.

Her life would change however in July of 1988. It is then, she had her first child, a baby girl named Danapolie. Two years later she would welcome a healthy baby boy named Bernie in July of 1990. From then on, everything that she did, would be for them.

Marlene, being a firm believer in education, seized every opportunity she had to take classes and improve her knowledge because ultimately her goal was to provide her children with a better future. During her studies, she was able to become a nursing assistant. For more than 25 years she dedicated her life to serving others both professionally and personally, working at places like "Green Hill", "Daughters of Israel", and various private residences.

Not too long after the birth of her second child, she would move to a building located on 447 Central Ave. Through her love for God, family, and community she would not only establish herself as a pillar within the building, but also within her family. She became popular very quickly, committing many of her weekends to those who needed hair services and her weekdays to her two jobs. Marlene never slept because she wanted more for her children and she would soon achieve it.

In March of 2000, having saved every penny that she earned, she became a homeowner, taking up residence in the pristine town of West Orange. Marlene Cajuste, though a single mother of two had achieved the "American Dream."

In 2008, Marlene would be diagnosed with breast cancer. As a means of precaution, she underwent surgery to remove both her left breast and lymph nodes. Not long after, she would also, begin the tiring process of radiation and chemotherapy. Though the process was grueling, she came out victorious! Her cancer had gone into remission and not long after that she began working again.

After some years of peace, she would go on to receive news that her cancer not only returned but metastasized (spread). Doctors had found a total of 12 lesions in her brain and a small cluster in her lungs. Though to those around her all hope had seemed lost, Marlene had accepted the news and was determined to fight as she had done before since she knew that God was on her side. After another bout of radiation, physical therapy, and chemotherapy, Marlene was not only moving again but she was able to attend the graduations of both her son and daughter. After each check-up, her oncologist would be amazed at her recovery and spirit.

God would give Marlene 6 more amazing years of life.

On March 17th, 2021 at 2:53am Marlene was called home to be with the Lord. She is survived by her two children, Danapolie Brice and Bernie Brice. She is also survived by her four siblings, Marie Geralda Cajuste Blanc, Pierre Eden Cajuste, Marie Roselie Cajuste Barthemley, Pierre Briel Cajuste and their children, thirteen nieces and nephews. Marlene Cajuste, also had a score of cousins and other relatives who loved her dearly. She had a light demeanor to her that enabled her to get along with everyone she came across. There are truly no words to describe exactly the life that the world is missing with Marlene’s passing but we praise God that those who experienced it can truly say, it was a blessing.

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