Elsie Salas

Elsie Mary Salas, born in Pena Blanca, NM on November 18, 1921 to Bernardita (Armijo) and Gregorio Salas, passed away peacefully seven days after her 94th birthday on November 25, 2015.  In 1938 at the age of 17 her mother passed away leaving ten children behind.  Elsie being the second eldest, she and her older sister, Ruperita decided that Elsie would stay home from school to care for her siblings while Rupertita finished high school.  Rupertita graduated and then they reversed roles, allowing Elsie to graduate at the age of 20.  After her father remarried she followed her older sister to California.  She resided in San Francisco and joined the war effort working full time at Mare Island in Vallejo.  From about 1957 to 1974 the family resided in the South of Market neighborhood, where Elsie was active in the Canon Kip Mothers Club, worked in the office at Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, and worked for the Economic Opportunity Council from 1967 until she retired.  Elsie was politically active in the 60's and joined the marches and protests to bring about equal opportunity for all.  In 2006 at the spry age of 85 Elsie decided to return to New Mexico where she resided until her death.

Elsie is survived by her loving children, Anthony Ortiz (Jennifer), Gregory Salas (Evelyn), Anita Navarrete (Virgil); her grandchildren, Amelia Salas, Jenise Lugo, Severiano Ortiz (Andy), Christina Bates (Chris), Paloma Navarrete; great-grandchildren, Ethan (Frances), Lydia, and Henry Jr. Borraso, Xavier, Evan, Luke, and Zane Bates; great-great-granddaughter, Isabel Aguilar.  Also surviving are her loving siblings Isabel Aragon, Arabella Archibeque, and Fernando Salas (Lorraine); daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Cromeans; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.  Elsie will be greatly missed by her loving family and by those whose hearts she touched.

Visitation will be this evening, Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 301 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo, NM, where A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.  Final Viewing will be Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. also at the Church.  Interment will follow at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery.

Elsie's care is entrusted to:
Daniels Family Funeral Services
ALAMEDA  MORTUARY
9420 Fourth St. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505)  898-3160

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