She was born on April 13,1931 to Maximino and Herminia Sanchez in Reedville, Texas. She married Julian R. Salazar on October 9,1948, they were married for 54 years upon his passing.
Maria went on to to live a life filled with love, hard work and dedication. She was the third of 12
children and grew up working in the fields with her family. She worked at various places including
Dickies, Mission Valley Mills and Iselin Mill. She also worked at El Cid Mexican restaurant always
striving to provide for her loved ones. Amidst all of this she still had time to take care of her
grandchildren, inspiring us with her selflessness. Maria loved sewing and gardening; she was
famous for her Pan de Levadura and her Christmas family tradition of making tamales, bunelos and
celebrating Christmas Nativity with her baby Jesus.
She is preceded in death by her husband Julian R. Salazar, her son Jose Luis Salazar, her parents
and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children Consuelo Bennett (Dago), Antonia Villanueva, Emilio Salazar, Dora Huerta (Manuel). Angie Soliz (Robert), Jose Salazar, Corina
Aguirre (Fausto) and Grace Palos. She is also survived by 3 brothers, 3 sisters and her stepmother.
She also leaves behind 27 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 57 great- great grandchildren
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Public Viewing and Visitation will begin 5:00 PM Monday, January 20, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Viewing will continue Tuesday morning at Zoeller Funeral Home at 8:00 AM and continue until 9:30 AM when the procession departs to the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
The pallbearers will be Joshua Bennett, Oscar Barboza, Joey Salazar, Ruben Ybarra Jr., Ricardo
Montoya, Orlando Huerta, Lorenzo Aguirre and Brian Palos.
