Obituary of Miriam Cardenas

Miriam Cardenas, Mirina, was born on September 24^th, 1932 in Jovellanos, Matanzas Cuba to Susano Lorenzo and Aurelia García. Mirina was married to the love of her life, Manuel Cardenas, on July 20, 1952.  Mirina loved to write poetry, play the piano, and paint picturesque scenes on all types of canvas. Mirina was a teacher in Cuba and loved sharing stories about her students to all who would listen. Her passion for her family, along with her desire for them to succeed was the impetus for her young family’s move to the United States in September of 1962. Manuel and Miriam fled Cuba’s Communist regime and brought their three young children:  Manuel Cardenas, Jr. married to Odalys, Jorge Cardenas married to Dania, and Miriam Luis married to Juan, in pursuit of freedom and the American dream. Mirina went on to have three more children in the United States: Miguel Cardenas married to Paul, Robert Cardenas married to Jeanette, and Barbara Mundo married to Daniel. The family went on to support and shelter hundreds of additional families who similarly sought asylum in America.  Although Mirina was extremely proud of her Cuban heritage, she beamed with pride when discussing her maternal Mexican roots. Miriam leaves behind her six beautiful children, their spouses, ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Miriam passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday, June 2, 2022.  Mirina leaves behind a beautiful legacy defined by emphasizing familial relationships, a strong embrace of the arts and a deep faith in God. Mirina’s family is comforted that Mirina will join Manuel and those that have gone before her in heaven.   

Miriam Cardenas was a long-time resident of Rutherford, NJ. Her family will receive relatives and friends for visitation at the Jorge Rivera Funeral Home on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.  Interment services will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at noon at Weehawken Cemetery.