Nancy Málaga Serna of Lincoln Park, formerly of Jersey City, born November 30, 1946 in Arequipa, Peru, was the 8th of eight children of Francisco and Victoria Málaga de Escobedo. At 18 years of age, Nancy emigrated to New Jersey, United States.  Nancy traveled to and from Manhattan where she began employment at American Brands as a secretary for 18 years. She was an ambitious woman who completed a bilingual secretarial studies program at Spanish American Institute in 1968, a word processing program at La Guardia Community College in 1983 and a computer programming course at New York University in 1983 to improve her skills as a businessperson. In 1988, Nancy resigned from American Brands after almost two decades and began to further her career as a word processor at URS Corporation, Manhattan by getting promoted to graphics.  After Nancy’s retirement from URS Corporation in 2015 Nancy became self-employed by managing her self-made investment portfolio consisting of multiple real estate which she owned and worked hard for since emigrating to the United States with only a dream.

Though Nancy was a brilliant businesswoman, being a grandmother to her granddaughter, Paloma, was her ultimate true calling.  After the birth of Paloma in 2009, Nancy retired from URS Corporation in 2015, where she was employed for over 25 years working with engineers.  Nancy was a consistent presence in Paloma’s life by attending her school functions, cooking her favorite meals and inspiring a love of education in her granddaughter.  In the summer of 2023, Nancy and Paloma traveled to and from Japan creating beautiful memories together. 

Nancy was a devoted wife to Carlos Arturo Serna. They married in 1974 after meeting each other in New York. They remained married for 36 years until her husband’s passing in January 2010. 

As a mother to her one and only child, Alexandra, who was born in 1975, to Carlos and Nancy, Nancy delighted in respecting one of her daughter’s most important views of life, being kind to non-human animals, by cooking vegan meals.  Nancy never left her daughter’s side and was always present when Alexandra needed her mother.

Nancy was born a courageous fighter.  At a young age, she became permanently blind in one eye.  Despite her vision loss, she was able to conquer many later health complications such as melanoma, breast cancer, hip replacement surgery and atrial fibrillation.  As a courageous fighter throughout her life, ultimately her physical limit was met when she suffered a debilitating stroke on December 30, 2024. 

Nancy passed away in peace at home on April 7, 2026.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Alexandra Victoria Serna, her granddaughter, Paloma Maria McDonald, a brother and many nieces and nephews. 

There will be no visitation In honor of Nancy’s last wishes.  Her funeral service will be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 216 Comly Road, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM.  In further honor of Nancy’s last wishes, a single orchid will be the only flower present at her funeral service.  In lieu of flowers, Alexandra suggests donations to local animal shelters, a cause close to Nancy’s heart.

Interment at Grove Church Cemetery, 1132 46th Street, North Bergen, NJ will follow at the conclusion of Nancy’s service, where she will be laid to eternal rest together with her husband of 36 years.