Maria Aurora Salazar

Friday, Apr. 24, 2020

Maria Aurora Salazar

October 18, 1936 ~ April 9, 2020

Maria Aurora Salazar passed away peacefully on April 9, 2020 at her home.  She was born on October 18, 1936 in Pagosa Junction, Colorado to Maria Tranquilina Archuleta and Manuel Chavez. She graduated from Durango High School in Colorado, and Steven-Henagar’s Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She worked for the government as a bookkeeper and later became a seamstress. Her first vocation was always a wife, mother and homemaker.

She married Joseph P. Salazar on April 28, 1962 at Sacred Heart Church in Salt Lake City. She was an active member of St. Patrick Parish. She was Utah Catholic Woman of the Year in 1988 and again in 2005, altar society member at Sacred Heart Church, and a Eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s. She was a Eucharistic minister to the sick and homebound for many years. She provided help to the elderly for many years as a volunteer through Aging Services of Salt Lake City.

She loved her spouse, children and grandchildren; including her neighbors, Mike, Jeanine, their children and grandchildren. They are part of our family.

Maria was preceded in death by her son Jon Thomas Salazar (seven months); brother Manuel A. Chavez; and nephews, Nathan Rivas and Timothy Salazar. Survived by her spouse Joseph P. Salazar; son Jay P. Salazar of Newport Beach, California; daughter Anna M. Salazar-Burrus (Pat) of Bend, Oregon; daughter Eva M. Salazar-Davidson (Charlie) of Harpswell, Maine; son Matthew F. Salazar of Mission Viejo, California;  grandchildren Jacob D. Burrus, Anika R. Burrus, Nicole C. Burrus, Zachary B. Davidson and Courtney M. Davidson;  sisters Ruby Fiorini of Tacoma, Washington,  Emma Waganer of Rifle, Colorado, Pauline Suazo of Salt Lake City, Utah, Stella Rivas (David) of Sandy, Utah, Libby Rodriguez of Sacramento, California, Connie Moreno (Edward) of Hayward, California, Lydia O’Hearn (James) of Hayward,  California and Bennie Gomez (John) of Hayward, California; goddaughter Emma Gallegos, many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Funeral directors, Neil O’Donnell and Sons.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all of the staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute and to the incredible loving hospice team at Intermountain Homecare & Hospice.  They were the hands, feet and eyes of Our Lord when they cared for her and our father with such compassion and love. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions/donations to Intermountain Homecare & Hospice or Huntsman Cancer Foundation.