She was born in Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Maria del Refugio Nuñez and Jose Guadalupe Quintero. Chilo, as Maria was known to her close family and friends, grew up in Guadalajara, Juarez, and Mexicali, prior to her family immigrating to the United States in search of better work and life opportunities.
Although Chilo did not have the opportunity to complete her elementary education, she proudly helped raise her brothers and sisters, and took in stride her responsibility to work and help support her family. Upon arrival to Salinas, California at the age of 17, Chilo continued with her family obligations and immediately was taken to work in the fertile fields of the Salinas Valley harvesting lettuce, celery, and parsley.
It was in the lettuce fields that Chilo met the love of her life, Alfonso Salazar. Mr. Salazar courted Maria for 2 years, and the lovebirds were married in December 1970. They started their family the following year, welcoming their sweet boy Alfonso Salazar Jr. in 1971 and their rambunctious and loving son Ricardo Salazar in 1975.
Maria strived to adapt to life in the US, shown by her determination to learn English at Alisal Adult Night School, diligently studying the language after a long day in the fields. After mastering the necessary skills to advance her studies, Chilo and her sister Angie attended Salinas Beauty College. Despite long and demanding work shifts, she attended school at night eventually obtaining her California Cosmetology License in 1983. Maria then successfully transitioned to the cosmetology profession, working in the renowned La Fuente de Belleza.
Maria and Alfonso moved to Hanford, CA in 1990. She became a business owner in 1991 after opening The New You Beauty Salon along with her sister and business partner, Angie. For 22 years Maria was known as half of the duet “las hermanas que cortan pelo”, participating in the growth of downtown Hanford and helping guide young Latinos in Hanford via the no-nonsense advise she was known for giving her clients.
Chilo retired in 2013 and looked forward to many years of family time, Church time, and yes, also casino time. Many knew Maria for her lavish long beautiful hair, usually red, sometimes blonde; her well-manicured nails; her frequent attending to the health care of her loving husband; tenderly accompanying her sister Lupe to doctor appointments around town and visiting her Salazar in-laws while cheering on her favorite team Las Chivas de Guadalajara. Chilo took pride in showing off her handsome sons and their families, she spent her time praying with el Grupo de Oracion at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, providing the Eucharist as a Minister, and loved to open her home and pool to family on hot summer days. Above all she loved visiting family, her sisters, and grandkids.
Maria “Chilo” Salazar Quintero, leaves behind her husband of 50 years Alfonso Salazar, son Alfonso Salazar Jr. and wife Lydia Salazar, son Ricardo Salazar, grandchildren Shane Salazar, Theron Mavrick Salazar, Savannah Salazar, and Alfonso Zackary Salazar; brothers Patrocinio, Ignacio, Arturo, Sergio and Martin Quintero; sisters Angie Gallegos (Quintero) and Guadalupe Quintero, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Chilo now joins her parents and her little sister, Josefina Hernandez Quintero, in heaven. She leaves a large void in the hearts of her husband, sons and extended family that seems to grow every day as we try to accept her sudden passing.
Que descanse en paz.
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