Aurora Barrera Marentez

January 4, 1936 – August 22, 2026

Aurora Barrera Marentez, lovingly known to her family and friends as Rorie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the age of 90.

Born on January 4, 1936, Aurora was the daughter of Maria and Antonio Barrera. She was the ninth of ten children and grew up surrounded by family, learning from an early age the importance of love, loyalty, hard work, and being there for the people she loved.

Aurora was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and matriarch whose greatest pride was her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gilbert Marentez, and her daughter, Cynthia Marentez Vega.

Aurora was a woman who always showed up for the people she loved. She cared for her mother and made a promise to her that she would help look after her brothers—a promise she carried with her throughout her life.

Aurora was also an accomplished and independent businesswoman. She graduated from Marinello’s School of Beauty and went on to own and operate her own hair salon for approximately 25 years. Her salon named The Hair Salon was not simply a business; it was a place where she worked hard, built relationships, and created something of her own. It was also a place many of her grandchildren got the opportunity to work summers and weekends with her. She taught them how to work hard and to take pride in what they do. She was proud of the life she built through determination and perseverance.

Above all else, Aurora was devoted to her family. She leaves behind her children, Tommy Barrera, Josie Cruz, Pricilla Aguilar, Michael Marentez, and Janet Orona, who will forever carry her love and memory in their hearts.

Rorie was blessed with a large and loving family. She leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren, creating a beautiful legacy that will continue through generations.

She was also preceded in death by her siblings Ralph, Daniel, Angelena “Angie,” Sarah, Amelia “Molly,” Pilar, Carlos, Antonio “Tony,” and Alberto “Beto.”

Aurora’s life was defined not only by the years she lived, but by the people she loved, the family she cared for, the promises she kept, and the generations she helped shape.

Her family will remember Rorie for her strength, her independence, her devotion, and the way she always showed up when her family needed her. Her love will continue to live on in the stories shared, the memories cherished, and the many generations who carry a part of her with them.

Though she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was a woman who loved her family fiercely.

She was deeply loved. She will be deeply missed. And she will never be forgotten.

Rest peacefully, Rorie. Your work here is done. Your family will carry your love forward.