In Loving Memory
July 24, 1992 - September 15, 2021
Alena Malaika Asuma Otieno
On a very sad Wednesday morning, our beloved daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, cousin and friend was taken from us suddenly. Alena leaves a gaping hole in the lives of her parents, sister, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, extended family, and friends. Her parents Maren and James Otieno; sister Nereya; brother Emmanuell; grandparents Dr. L.A. Otieno-Ayim, Agnesgrace Kambeke and Maren Jensen; aunts Anna, Lydia, Hope, Otti, Holly and Rebecca; uncles John Paul, Peter, Ron and Tom and numerous cousins and friends are all shocked, grief stricken and saddened by the sudden loss. Our greatest solace is having had the opportunity to live, laugh, cry, and engage in her presence. We know that she is now comforted by angels, at peace and maybe meeting some of her heroes.
Alena (29) was born in Stanford, California and grew up mostly in the city of Santa Clara. She graduated from Cupertino High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in writing and communication from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She was just beginning to hone her skills and lifelong dream of becoming a novelist when she suddenly passed away.
During elementary and high school, Alena developed a passion for jump rope, where she worked hard to compete in national tournaments across the United States. She placed and won a number of events during this stretch. In college, Alena nurtured a keen awareness of social political issues and was not shy to debate any topic. She was very intelligent and proud of her accomplishments. We are and will always be proud of her too!
Most of her life, Alena battled with Bipolar Disorder. She went to great lengths to understand herself and her illness. Her experiences led her to have a passion for caring for children with mental health issues, societal homelessness, and the plight of battered women. Alena often talked about making a lasting contribution to ease the pain and suffering of those afflicted. She was just beginning that journey.
When we have recovered a bit from the shock, we hope to celebrate Alena’s life with multiple gatherings to share our many wonderful Alena memories and stories.