Arleen Elizabeth Cedeno Schreiner

Arleen Cedeno Schreiner was born in New York City in 1946 to Adrian Cedeno and Blanca Gil de Rubio Cedeno. A champion of the city’s public education and university system, she earned her Bachelor’s degree at CUNY’s Hunter College in 1968. She went on to teach first grade in the Freeport School System for three years and joined both the Freeport Board of Education and ASPIRA of America. In 1971 she earned her M.Ed. at CUNY’s Queens College and became the New York City Board of Education’s Coordinator of Bilingual Education for early childhood. She began working for CUNY’s York College as the Director of Student Activities in 1982 and continued to work as a career counselor and associate professor. During this time she became a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the Puerto Rican Forum. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, winning the National Conference of Christians and Jews Builder of Brotherhood Award in 1978, the York College Outstanding Service Award in 1978, the IDEA Fellows Distinguished Fellows Award in 1978, and was featured in Outstanding Young Women of America in 1979. In 1980 she completed her Ed.D degree at Fordham University with a dissertation examining the impact of student voice in college governance. She continued her service at York College, working her way through assistant and full professorship before completing her career as Dean of Student Affairs.

In 1974 Arleen married her high school sweetheart, Richard Schreiner. Richard was both an artist and educator, and the undisputed love of her life. Together they enjoyed the vibrant artistic world of New York and developed their passions for tai chi, sailing, and spectacular international travel. They journeyed through Africa, Japan, China, Central and South America, Europe, India, the Soviet Union, and the United States, cultivating a museum-like collection of international art and artifacts as well as an amazing collection of stories. Their love of the water brought them to Palm Coast in 2005, where they brought their boat and bought a house on the canal. Over their years there they became integral members of the art and tai chi communities. Arleen’s life changed drastically in 2012, when Richard developed a sudden illness and passed away before they could reach many of their retirement dreams. After his death, Arleen dedicated herself to her family, caring for her father, mother, and aunt and doting on her great niece and nephews, for whom she became a beloved grandmother figure. She also developed a vibrant circle of friends, with whom she enjoyed brunches, movie nights, shopping, dinners out, trips to Disney, and much more. She was also a dedicated member of the congregation of the Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach.

Arleen passed away on Tuesday, August 8th after a brief and unexpected illness. Through her time in Florida Hospital, Halifax Health and Rehabilitation, and Halifax Hospice, Arleen was surrounded by friends and family who stayed by her side, holding her hand, playing her music, telling her stories, and praying for her. She is survived by her father Adrian, brother Douglas, niece Dorienne, nephew Jeffrey, great-niece Sophia, and great-nephews Leonardo and Willem, aunt Patti, and many cousins, including her closest cousin and friend, Luis and his wife Cindy. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by many friends and loved ones.

A mass in her honor will be celebrated at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary at 11:00 am on Monday, August 13 followed by a reception at the Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, Orange City.