Maria Esther Salom

El Paso – María Esther Salom (née Olivas) passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023. She was born in Santa Rosalía de Camargo, Chihuahua, México on August 19, 1933. Daughter of Antonio Olivas and Ana Monclova, she was raised in Camargo, teaching at a primary school before moving to El Paso, Texas. Once in El Paso, she would become a life-long resident, going on to work at the Plaza Empire Shop, located inside the famous Plaza Hotel in downtown El Paso, afterwards becoming a lifelong homemaker. She met the love of her life and husband, the late George Elias Salom (Jorge Juan Salum) at a party in Camargo. She was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend. Her son, George, was the light of her life, whom she adored and cherished. She literally dressed to impress, was an avid dancer, and enjoyed life to its fullest, be it hosting at her home, or dancing away in Cd. Juarez or El Paso, the life of any party and gathering. She was a member of the Women’s Club of El Paso, the Club de España, the Syrian American Women’s Club, the Ladies Society of St. George, supported St. Clement’s Episcopal School and Cathedral High School. She donated her time and treasure to many local charities and was a staple of the Bake Table at the annual St. George Feast in the Middle East for years. She was a true friend and confident to many. In so many ways, she was truly a fashion and style icon, her hair always done, red lipstick always on. Her passion for music and song graced many. She was a devoted Christian woman of faith, a follower of Christ Jesus, attending many a Mass and Holy Day at Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anthony’s Seminary, St. Patrick Cathedral, later to find her spiritual home at St. George. She had a special place in her heart for the nuns at Cristo Rey Monastery and was a proud member of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

She was preceded in death by her parents Antonio and Ana, her husband George, her sisters Yolanda, Helena, María Luisa, Ruth and her brother Fernando. She is survived by her son George Elias, daughter-in-law Wendy, grandson Alexander Vincent, sisters Guadalupe, Graciela and Margarita, as well as many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

To all who loved my mother, her many friends, compadres y familia – thank you. A very special thank you to Dr. Mariaelena Gonzalez-Sozer who lovingly cared for my mother, to Dr. Edward Assi and his staff, and the many doctors and medical staff over the years who cared for my mother, thank you. A profound thank you to Yazmin Ayub, Fátima Uranga, Martha Beltrán, Lourdes Aguilar, Laura Parga, Verónica Beltrán, Adriana Alonso de Pérez for your care, service, devotion and love – you made a world of difference, God bless you. Thank you, Velia Lozano at Dignity Memorial, for your help always. To Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Fadi Rabbat; Rev. Dcn. Miguel Sifuentes; Fr. Daniel Mora, S.J.; Fr. Martin Arriaga, OFM; the nuns of Perpetual Adoration and the monks at Christ in the Desert – thank you for your spiritual care, prayers, love and direction over the years.

Pallbearers will be David Chávez, Héctor Clemente, Alexander Díaz, Fernando Olivas, Rene Gerardo Olivas, Jorge Yanar. Honorary pallbearers include Alexander Vincent Salom, George Elias Salom, Jr., Jesse Salom, Dr. Carlos Arciniega, Carlos Arciniega, Luís Antonio Antillon, Jesus Antillon, Wendy Salom, Michelle Salom, Christina Díaz, Georgina Yanar de Alonso.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM with Trisagion at 7:00PM at Martin Funeral Home West on 128 N. Resler Dr. The Funeral Service will be held Monday, October 16, 2023 at 10:00AM at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on 120 N. Festival Dr. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery on Alameda. Memorial contributions can be made to her memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church or Cristo Rey Monastery. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West.