Virene C. Cardenas

Virene Carlene Chen-Cardenas, born at midday, April 4, 1950, her personality was an embodiment of that midday sunlight. She would light up a room, the moment she entered it, and before you knew it, she would have everyone on the edge of their seats, waiting for her next words. Virene had the gift to make others laugh, love, and to feel loved, valued, and accepted.

She was the first daughter of Daniel and Aneita Blackwood who made their home in the island of Jamaica, in the beautiful parish of St. Elizabeth, where Virene had her early education.  She then attended Clarendon College, where her love for the Arts, music, singing, and drama blossomed.

After graduating from High School, she migrated to the USA, and attended Howard University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English.  This prepared her for her work in the Editorial Department of Time Life books where she later became an editor. She then moved on to Computer Science Corporation where she held the position of Senior Editor. Later, she launched her own publishing company, Blackwood Hills Publishing, with her primary purpose of helping new authors publish their works. Virene was deeply involved in Christian Ministry for many years. Her gifts allowed her to flow in several areas such as a worship leader, intercessor, and also as a conference speaker. She also hosted a Radio program where she ministered, those in need of prayer were able to call in and she would pray for them. In recent years, she developed a passion for painting, which she continued until she became ill.   

She went to be with her Lord Jesus, on Sunday, January 24, 2021. She is survived by her husband, Jorge Cardenas, her son Anthony Chen, and her grandson, Cyrus Chen, her brothers: Fenton, Rudolph, Errol, Joel and Carl Blackwood, sisters Morene D’Aguilar and Tulie Elaine Spence, as well as her in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

 
In compliance with Covid-19 precautions, a private Home Going Celebration will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 2pm at Norbeck Memorial Park, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd., Olney, MD 20832. 

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