Emma Salazar Obituary

April 23, 1922 – January 5, 2016

Born in remote northern New Mexico to Jesus and Isidora Montoya in 1922, Emma Salazar was a member of America's World War II greatest generation. Emma grew up on the family ranch named San Miguel with her parents and two brothers and nine sisters.

At an early age, Emma went to schools in New Mexico and graduated as valedictorian from Cuba High School. Throughout her childhood, she learned the value of hard work alongside her family inside the home and out on the ranch.

At the age of 19, she graduated from Capitol City Commercial College in Santa Fe. She began a chapter in public service as she moved to Washington, D.C. in 1941 as the United States was preparing for World War II. From 1941 to 1946, she worked in Washington, D.C. at what was then known as the War Department and helped relocate the War Department offices into the Pentagon. While in Washington, she also worked at Catholic University as a clerk/typist.

After World War II, she returned to New Mexico and a few years later in 1948 she married Henry Salazar from Los Rincones, Colorado. For the next 68 years, Emma made her home in her beloved Los Rincones, a ranch located in the San Luis Valley about 30 miles southeast of Alamosa, Colorado.

At Los Rincones, Emma raised her eight children in a home that did not have telephone or electricity until 1981. Throughout her years, she helped Henry on the ranch, including keeping the books for the ranch and farm operation, but her main devotion was to the life and success of her eight children – Leandro, LeRoy, John, Ken, Elaine, Margaret, Elliott and June. She tended to their care and development and supported all of their pursuits, including education. All eight of her children became first-generation college graduates.

Emma was also very active in the Catholic church at St. Joseph's Parish and was a member of the Neighbors in Christ. She was also a member of the Sociedad Protectiva Femenil.

Emma's legacy in life includes 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren have been educated and worked throughout Colorado, the United States, and the world. All of them have returned home to live or frequently visit Los Rincones, a very special place where their ancestors have lived over 150 years.

In her last days, she continued her role as the matriarch of the Salazar family, blessing everyone with her traditional Catholic "bendicion" to keep them safe as they left her home. Emma's family knew her as Saint Emma because she exhibited the qualities of a saint through her Christ-like life. Emma was accepting of all no matter their economic status, background, race, national origin or gender. She was non-judgmental and provided a safe haven and comfort zone to her family and strangers alike. Emma never had an unkind word to say about anyone and always had an optimistic view for her beloved family and for the world.

Emma's celebration of life will continue with a Penitente Rosary at St. Theresa's Church in Manassa, Colorado on Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., viewing from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and the living Rosary at Our Lady of the Valley in La Jara, Colorado on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m, viewing 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, a funeral mass will be held in Capulin at St. Joseph Parish at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Los Cerritos Cemetery with a reception and celebration of her life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall in Conejos, Colorado.

The family has established the Emma and Henry Salazar Memorial Scholarship Fund at Adams State University located in Alamosa, Colorado. The Memorial Fund is meant to continue Emma and Henry's belief in the power of education to help change the world for the better. Contributions can be made to:

Emma and Henry Salazar Memorial Scholarship Fund

Adams State University Foundation

208 Edgemont Boulevard, Suite 2180

Alamosa, CO 81102

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to be made to the Adams State University Memorial Fund.

Emma is survived by her five sisters: Epifania Sandoval, Elizaida Herrera, Sister Mary Agnes Montoya, Gloria Garcia, and Cipriana Baca and many nieces and nephews.

Emma's family of nearly 50 includes her children and their spouses, Leandro and Loretta; LeRoy and Michelle; John and Luz; Ken and Esperanza; Elaine and Edwin; Elliott and Pam; Margaret and Marvin; and June and Ted. Her grandchildren are: Alegria and Bryan; Alyssa; Rosa and Kelley; Gabe and Clorinda; Lucas; Jesus and Kaylee; Esteban; Miguel and Krystal; Melinda; Andrea and Paul; Elliot Jr.; Deanna and Craig; Michaela and Michael; Lucia; and Eric. Emma's great- grandchildren are: Andrew; Nahlia and Nathaniel; Charlie; J.T. and Kaydence; Mireya; Jalissa; and Xavier; and Michael and Mason.

Emma's family thanks the many doctors, nurses and health care professionals throughout Colorado and Hospice Del Valle who cared for Emma over the years.