Leonor Marmolejo

Leonora Acuña de Marmolejo

January 11, 1930 – August 16, 2024

Leonora Acuña de Marmolejo passed away on August 16, 2024 in her home in Levittown, New York, at the age of 94. A mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, as well as an accomplished artist, author, and teacher, Leonora, lived her life with a zest matched by few others. She celebrated the big and small moments of life, always with a smile.

Born January 11, 1930 and raised in La Victoria (Valle), Colombia, Leonora was a teacher for 14 years, later opening her own primary school, Liceo Eugenio Pacelli, in Cali, Colombia. In Colombia, she went through the entire range of teacher education, earning a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in psychology and pedagogy, and studying philosophy and literature. She was a professor of Spanish and literature at the university level prior to becoming the director of her own school.

In 1966 she immigrated to New York with her family and pursued a career as a draftswoman in Manhattan before moving to Levittown on Long Island. Leonora continued her studies in the arts at SUNY Farmingdale, graduating with a degree in social sciences in 1979. In 1980, she was designated as the representative of the Humanistic Psychology Society for the Bolivarian countries and the Caribbean.

After retiring, Leonora pursued her passion for the arts. She was an accomplished artist, painting more than 80 paintings in oils and other mediums, and showcasing her work at art shows throughout Long Island. Some of her paintings were also exhibited and sold on WLIW21, Long Island’s PBS Station, in an auction for charity.

A published author, her poems, reviews, short stories, prologues, literary critiques, and essays were published in newspapers, anthologies, magazines, as well as digital media in the United States, Spain, and South America. She published seven books on poetry and short stories, including Poemas en mi red (1992), Brindis por un poema (1995), Baraja de poemas (2002), Del crepúsculo a la alborada (2007), Fantavivencias de mi Valle (2012), Horas iluminadas (2013), and La Dama de Honor y otros cuentos (2014).

Leonora received numerous honors and awards for her written work, including Who’s Who in Latino USA (1991), the Human Excellence Award from the Colombian-Equadorian Association’s New York Chapter (1996), a Diploma of Recognition from the Literary and Historical Publication Pensamiento (1997), the Ira Levy Memorial Award Medal (1998), an Honorable Mention and Recognition from the Organization of Ibero-American Journalists (2000), and the Tango Award in Arts and Letters from Lilia Veiga Productions, Inc. (2003). In 2000, she was honored by the Town of Hempstead in recognition for her outstanding success and community service.

Leonora was a member of the Suburban Art League, the Organization of Ibero-American Journalists, the Pan-American Culture Circle, the Circle of Ibero-American Writers and Poets, the Cultural Club of Miami “Atenea,” the International Association of Writers and Artists, and the International Society of Poets, amongst others.

At home, Leonora was an avid lover of life—embracing the simple moments. She took great pleasure in gardening, reading, writing, painting, music, and cooking. Her garden always bloomed with love, a myriad of colors and vibrancy. Her delicious arroz con pollo, empanadas, and tamales were an adored staple at family functions, filled with vegetables from her yard. She was never without a pen in her hand, making notes on books and in journals. But at the end of the day, her greatest joy came from her family.

She loved spending time on the shores of Fire Island and Montauk Point with family, searching for the perfect pumpkin at the farms on the north shore of Long Island, and celebrating birthdays, holidays, and family milestones for all those she loved.

Leonora touched many lives, often praying over her family and extended family with great passion. She left an imprint on many.

She is survived by her ex-husband of 22 years, Leoncio, and her four children, Luz Helena, Gloria (Ronald), Diego (Lisa), and Jaime, as well as five grandchildren, Jennifer (James), Jason (Dana), Jacqueline (Joseph), Alexa, and Carly, and seven great-grandchildren, Ryan, Samantha, Matthew, Andrew, Alexandra, Olivia, and Luca.

The matriarch of this big, close-knit family, Leonora will be missed by many, and treasured for eternity. Her memories will live on in her family, her recipes, and her writings.

A private service for immediate family members will be held on August 19. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity she held dear to her heart.

In memory of Leonora’s life, hug a loved one today.