• Mary “Cena” Benn Alexander, a woman of beauty,  deep faith and timeless grace, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2026. Her life was rich with love, family, glamour, and a spirit that lifted everyone fortunate enough to know her.
    Cena was given her nickname by her older sister (Shirley) who struggled to pronounce Cecelia, Mary’s given middle name.
    Born on July 23, 1937, in Washington, D.C., Cena grew up as a young woman during the Camelot era, surrounded by the culture and optimism of the nation’s capital. She attended St. Patrick’s Academy, where she formed lifelong values rooted in discipline, community, and her strong Catholic faith.
    She married her first husband, the late Richard Barbuto, when she was 19 years old.  They were blessed with the first 3 of her 4 children in quick succession.  Tragically, her beloved second born son  Michael, died at 5 years old.  She later had her 4th child.
    The family lived in Maryland and then moved to Reston, Virginia in the late 1960’s
    Cena kept busy raising her family, with numerous volunteer activities and their many friends and active social life.
    The family moved to Clearwater, Florida in 1976.
    After moving to Florida, Cena met her second husband, Neal Alexander.  They lived in Clearwater – eventually moving to Tarpon Springs.   Together they built a loving and joyful life. Their home was a gathering place filled with friends, family, travel and the songs of life playing softly in the background.
    Throughout her life, Cena embraced elegance and joy. She loved the sparkle of a glamorous evening, the rhythm of dancing, and the warm, familiar voice of Frank Sinatra. One of her favorite lines, “The summer wind, came blowin’ in from across the sea. It lingered there, to touch your hair and walk with me.  All summer long, we sang a song and then we strolled that golden sand Two sweethearts, and the summer wind” always reminded her of life’s gentle, fleeting beauty — to live in the moment, a sentiment she carried with her through every season of her life.
    Cena was preceded in death by her parents Felix and Pearl Benn, her husband Neal Alexander, and her beloved son Michael Barbuto.
    She is survived by her children:
    • Richard Barbuto
    • Lori Barbuto
    • Denise (Todd) Tenge
    Her grandchildren, Meghan Tenge and Nicole Tenge, brought her immense pride and joy. She was also blessed to become a great‑grandmother to Kennedy Maffei, who added a new sparkle to her last few months.
    Cena was a loving stepmother to Clay Alexander, Heather Alexander, and Blaine Alexander, embracing them as part of her extended family.
    She is also survived and will be missed by her loving siblings:
    • Shirley McInerney
    • Felix (Ute) Benn
    • Kathy (Gary) Gray
    Her role as an aunt was one she cherished deeply. She leaves behind nieces and nephews:
    • Richard (Kathy) Jamison
    • Gary (Lynda) Jamison
    • Derek (Tina) Benn
    • Sonja (Steven) Alexander
    • Kimberly Marine
    • Karrie (Steven) Albright
    • Wyatt (Jessica) Gray
    • Mallory (Phil) Montiegel
    Aunt Cena is also remembered by 4 nieces, 4 nephews, 4 great‑nieces, and 7 great‑nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart.
    Cena was kind, loving, and fun.  She loved animals and never passed one without petting it.  She adored babies and always stopped to interact with them as well.
    Mary “Cena” Benn Alexander will be remembered for her radiant presence, her unwavering independence, her strong will, her devotion to her faith, and the way she made life feel a little more glamorous simply by being in it.
    Her legacy is one of love, confidence, resilience, and joy — a life lived fully, independently, beautifully, and always entirely on her own terms.
    May she rest in eternal peace.
     1Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Love strengthens human relationships and provides resilience during loss.