Laurena Berthalina Charles-Hynes

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Laurena Berthina Charles-Hynes, affectionately known as "Lauren", of Wayne, NJ.

Laurena passed away peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2023 after an unusually short but courageous battle with cancer while receiving the loving care of her family.

Laurena was born and raised in Castries, St Lucia and had nine (9) sisters and one brother.  While growing up in St Lucia, Laurena excelled in academics as well as volleyball.  She attended the Seventh Day Adventist Academy (SDA) in St Lucia graduating with honors, with the class of 1974.  Following her graduation from high school, she attended St Lucia A Level College.  After this, Laurena worked at the St Lucia Cooperative Bank for over five years.  In 1983 she immigrated to the United States to complete her Bachelor of Science degree at Rutgers University, in Newark NJ. She first settled in the Bronx, then later moved to East Orange, NJ while still completing the program. In 1988 she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree.

Laurena found work quickly and accepted a position at UMDNJ as a Medical Laboratory Technician.  Later, Laurena not only worked in the Serology lab, but in other various departments.  During her time working with UMDNJ, Laurena earned her master’s degree in Biomedical Informatics.   Laurena’s career in healthcare spanned over thirty-three years until retiring in 2021.  During that time, she was truly well respected and loved by her colleagues and peers. 

In November of 1999, Laurena met a handsome young man at church by the name of George Hynes.  A few years later, the two started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on May 1, 2004 they became husband and wife.  The newlyweds settled in George’s hometown of North Arlington where they remained until 2006 when they moved to Wayne.  After moving to Wayne, the couple welcomed the birth of their only child, Charley.  The family has remained in Wayne ever since. 

Laurena truly treasured reading, researching, and learning.  She had a true entrepreneurial spirit and constantly kept herself busy starting her own businesses in marketing and other fields.

Aside from all of Laurena’s hobbies, talents, and interests, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Laurena than spending time with family and friends and being a mother to her son Charley. He was indeed her precious gem. She cherished her time together with her family vacationing to destinations such as Vermont, Lake George, Wildwood, and Bradley Beach for the annual fireworks displays, and also the Caribbean.  Laurena and George shared nineteen years of loyal marriage together.  Laurena was also devoted to her faith, the Creator, which she often referred to as "The Most High".  She and her family attended a variety of local churches where she was always very active and charitable.

Laurena was a quiet, private, and reserved young lady but was also bubbly, kind and compassionate.  She had a truly wonderful personality and could light up any room she walked into with her sweet, and beautiful smile.  She was often selfless, putting the needs of others before her own. She will be forever remembered as a bright, beautiful and loving person who was a devoted wife, mother, and sister.  Laurena was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone that knew her.  She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

Laurena is survived by her husband George Hynes of Wayne, her son Charley Hynes, of Wayne, her sisters Agatha Chance of Ontario, Canada; Rosemary St. Romain of Castries, St Lucia; Gloria Elizabeth Charles of Castries, St Lucia; Marina Charles-Cann of Bermuda; Leona Charles of Castries, St Lucia; Margaret-Ann Charles of New Jersey; Shirwin Charles of Castries, St. Lucia; Theodora Simon of Castries St Lucia; Valerie Leon of Castries, St Lucia; and Patrick Phillip of Detroit, Michigan.  

Also surviving are her brothers-in-law: James Simon of La Croix Mingot, St. Lucia; William Cann of Bermuda, and Anthony St Romain of Castries St. Lucia also known as “brother Bob.”  She was the beloved aunt of Kheri Bernné Charles, Verity and Osie Solomon, Joy Carey St. Romain, Elvis St. Romain, Kathy St. Romain, Kevin Simon and Jason Simon all of Castries. Also, Gisele Simon, Coleen Chance and Andrea Chance of Canada.  Also left to mourn are the staff members of the University Hospital of New Jersey, Serology laboratory; and many other relatives and friends in St. Lucia, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, and the USA.  She was predeceased by her parents Gerald Justin Charles and Eugenia Charles.