Marlena Tanya Muchnick was born in Canton, Ohio, on August 22, 1940, to Moshe (Morris) Muchnick and Hannah (Ann) Simkovitz. Until she was four, Marlena lived in Cleveland, Ohio with her family. After that time her family relocated to California and lived near Beverly Hills. Marlena's brother, Mark Laurence Muchnick, was born March 1, 1947. At the beginning of Marlena's teenage years her family moved to the San Fernando Valley where she attended Birmingham High School. Marlena graduated from Birmingham in February 1958 with an emphasis in journalism.

After high school Marlena attended Valley Junior College in Los Angeles where she obtained her associate's degree in general studies. She later studied linguistics and creative writing at San Diego State University. She has since received her English as a Second Language certificate.

Marlena has lived in Ohio, California, Nevada, Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, Washington, and Mexico. She has also worked various jobs. She has worked at hospitals, taught remedial English at San Diego State University, worked for the Resettlement Center in San Diego, taught English to Ethiopian refugees, and sold insurance. She has had secretarial jobs and worked in retirement homes as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Marlena retired in 2001. Marlena joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1988. Her brother Mark introduced Marlena to the Church. Before her baptism, she was Jewish. She is now an inspirational speaker and author who discusses the connections between Judaism and Mormonism. Both Marlena and her brother Mark reside in Seattle, Washington.