Search Results

SALAS, FRANCES G. Frances (Galindo) Salas, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her home on January 21, 2015 after a yearlong illness. She was born on October 31, 1934 to Lucille (Galindo) Perez in El Paso Texas. Frances was raised in Gallup, New Mexico by her loving grandparents, Francisca (Quiniones) and Braulio Galindo. Frances graduated in 1953 from Cathedral High School in Gallup where she participated in many extracurricular activities and was recognized as senior Homecoming Queen. After high school, she went to work at the Gallup Sand & Gravel. On July 3rd 1960, she married the love of her life, Celestino Salas and raised a family of four children. In 1966 the family moved to Albuquerque where they began the city life. Frances worked for the US Government at the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 34 years. While at the BIA, she became the office manager in the Engineering Dept that oversaw the critically acclaimed Navajo Irrigation Project near Farmington. She also became the Hispanic-coordinator for the BIA for many years and grew to love traveling. She made many treasured and lifelong friends at the BIA. After retirement, she continued to work part time at the former Sunwest Bank, the New Mexico State Fair, and as a poll worker for the Election Board. Just to keep busy, she continued to sell Avon products to friends and family for 30 years. Frances' love of travel took her and Celestino throughout the United States in their RV for many years. They also made numerous trips to Mexico to visit friends, family and explore the many sights. During her retirement years she took in her elderly aunt Alice G. Castillo, who lived with them for ten years before retiring to The Little Sisters of the Poor in Gallup. During that time they enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Europe with many family members visiting countries such as England, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. In addition to Europe she traveled to Nicaragua for a cousins wedding and a long awaited visit to Hawaii with a lifelong friend. There she enjoyed a helicopter ride of her life; over Mauna Loa one of the many spectacular volcanoes. Frances was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Albuquerque. All four of her children attended grade school at Fatima, and continued on to St. Pius X. Frances took on the matriarch role of her family after the death of her Grandma and mother Lucy. Her home was always an open active place with family and friends always stopping by to visit and if necessary, to live. She made sure her visitors never left her home without eating some of her famous red chile enchiladas. Frances' true happiness lied with her treasured grand children, great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. All who knew Frances for her devotion to family, her Catholic faith, wonderful smile, loyalty and honesty will miss her dearly. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her daughters, Loretta Celeste Salas-Gamertsfelder, Francine Kim Salas-Samora and her granddaughter, Stephanie Lynn Salas. She leaves her devoted and loving husband of 55 years, Celestino Salas. Her memory will be cherished by her loving children, Hector A. Salas and wife, Maria of Springfield MA, Catherine Salas Baransky and husband, Roger of Manchester NH; cherished grandchildren, Aaron Salas and wife, Rosie of Jakarta Indonesia, Angela (Salas) Brown and husband, Jerry of Delta Junction AK, Alicia Gamertsfelder-Lovato, Gary Gamertsfelder and Gabrielle Lopez of Albuquerque, Christopher Baransky of Tampa, FL, Dylan Baransky of Manchester, NH; loving great grandchildren, Adriana and Miranda Brown, Dominic, Jordan and Pierce Salas; her loving aunt, Alice G. Castillo of Gallup, a loving devoted brother and sisters, Mike and Ella Perez of Sedona AZ, Leah Alice and Lloyd Guillory of Kirtland, NM, Maria Hilda Lopez, Sylvia and Benny Kjaer both of Albuquerque; many loving cousins including, Arthur Tommy Galindo of San Pedro CA; Aunt Flora Mae Gonzales; cousins, John Gutierrez, Ben and JoAnne Galindo of Albuquerque, Cipri Sanchez and Marlene Neal of Gallup, NM and Teresita Ramos of El Paso, TX; many friends, relatives, and her long-established Pen Pals. The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus for their care and compassion during this difficult time and their compassionate care for our mother Frances. A rosary will be held for Frances on Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 at the Garcia Mortuary, 717 Stover Avenue SW, Albuquerque at 7pm. At the families request a funeral and memorial service will be held this summer. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Garcia Mortuary 717 Stover Ave. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 505-243-5222
        Published on: Sun January 25, 2015