07/25/2026
Remembering Marlene Barna:
When you think Waterloo Region Community theatre, KWMP, and multi-generational theatre families , there is one that stands above them all, leaving an indelible mark and legacy on our organization…The Barnas. Most people may know both Terry Barna and Lynne Henderson Barna who have been fixtures on stage, behind the scenes and on the KWMP board for the last 25 years. However, it’s Terry’s parents, Al and Marlene Barna, who instilled this love of theatre, the importance of volunteerism, and shared with them the community that KWMP and other regional companies could provide.
Last week, we lost Marlene Barna. She was 90.
Fiercely independent, Marlene lived in her home until she died peacefully in her sleep. A few weeks earlier she had celebrated her 90th birthday with a great party with friends and family at the KWMP Hall. (The attached pic is from that day, with Marlene sitting on her thrown… as she should be!!❤️👑
She was predeceased by her husband Al, who passed away in 2017, after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Al and Marlene were influential and dedicated members of KWMP from the late 70s through to the early 2000s. While Al was the performer, gracing the KWMP stage dozens or more times, Marlene preferred to be behind the scenes, either in the Costume Department or as a Scenic Painter (for which she became renowned). Highlights for both Al and Marlene were performing in or working on multiple shows with both Terry and Lynne, as well as performing with their granddaughter Rachel in Oliver and Peter Pan!
The pair were Lifetime Members of KWMP, and we are reminded of their impact on the organization every year when we give out the Al & Marlene Barna Spring Show Award (“The Barnie”), which recognizes a show participant who consistently goes “above and beyond” and enthusiastically volunteers their time to do whatever is necessary to ensure a production comes together.
A few nuggets you may not know about Marlene!
- She spent over 30 years as a Registered Nurse with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)
- She finished her career as a Case Manager with CCAC (now known as Home & Community Support Services).
- She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from University of Waterloo in 1998!
- She expressed her artistic self through her love of scenic painting, watercolour painting and cake decorating.
- She regularly played bridge with a group of women, and liked to share her vast knowledge of the game to all at the table.
- She LOVED the Hoyle card games on her computer, and enjoyed playing solitaire and cribbage.
- Her lemon squares and shortbread cookies were legendary. (And even if you had her recipe, they never tasted the same as when Marlene made them! )
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Marlene’s visitation and funeral were held earlier this week. If you would like to make a donation in Marlene’s memory, the family would appreciate donations to Food4Kids Waterloo Region, your local Food Bank, or K-W Musical Productions (In lieu of flowers).
