Mary Genevieve Velasquez Salaz

Friday, Oct. 28, 2016

Nov. 26, 1924 – Oct. 10, 2016

OGDEN — Mary Genevieve Velasquez Salaz, 91, died Oct. 10, 2016.

She was born Nov. 26, 1924 in Rosa, N.M., the daughter of Carlos P. Velasquez and Sofia Lovato.

Mary married Joseph E. Salaz on Dec. 1, 1945 in Durango, Colo. They were married 70 years. 

The couple moved to Utah in 1945 after he was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. They lived in the same home since 1951.

A nursing assistant, Mary worked at Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colo., where she started working at the age of 14, and retired from St. Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden, Utah after 22 years of service.

Mary was a member of St. James Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Promoters. She also was a CCD teacher for several years.

She is survived by her three children, Robert Salaz (Denise), Darlene Zultewicz (Joe), and Vickie Samarrae (Jawdat); three sisters, Mary Lena Arlofski (David), Juanita Schick (Ron), and Cathy Trentman (John); two brothers, Louie (Lou) Payan (Tammy) and Bill Velasquez (Debbie); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Salaz; four grandsons, Tony Samarrae, Kyle, Shane and Chadd Salaz; two brothers, Mike and Chuck Velasquez; and a sister, Belinda Lopez.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 18 at St. James Catholic Church. Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Park.

The family gives a special thank you to her sisters and cousin Alice Vieu for their love and dedication to Mary, and thanks the Rocky Mountain Nursing staff and Rocky Mountain Hospice for caring for her.

Condolences may offered online at www.lindquistmortuary.com.