Mary Louise Salatino

October 14, 1932 – May 22, 2023

Mary Louise Salatino passed away on May 22, 2023, at the HopeWest Care Center. She was the fifth child born to Frank and Angelina (Audino) Simonetti on October 14, 1932, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. She attended elementary school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1950. She graduated from Mesa Junior College with an Associate in Business degree and then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Mary Louise was introduced to the love of her life, Sam Salatino, by family and they were married on December 27, 1954, while Sam was on a break from teaching school. She worked as a secretary at the Atomic Energy Commission when she and Sam were first married before they started a family. A few years later, they were blessed with three children: Steven, Valerie, and Sheree.

Mary Louise was a homemaker while her children were growing up, and family meant the world to her. She was active in her children’s lives, including acting as a room-mother at Pomona Elementary School. She was a member of Faculty Wives and Catholic Daughters. She also volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital gift shop.

Bridge was her favorite activity, and Mary Louise belonged to several bridge clubs throughout her life, playing in clubs with friends for over 50 years. She was a great seamstress and sewed many clothes for her children while they were growing up. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Her Catholic faith was important to her, and she attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for most of her life.

After the children were grown, Mary Louise volunteered with St. Mary’s Auxiliary, and worked at various jobs in Grand Junction. Later, she and Sam, along with family members, started Clifton Automotive Center Car Wash, where she contributed her time and talent for the business in various ways.

Mary Louise’s greatest joys were her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a very loving and compassionate person who would do anything for them. She had many cherished friendships that lasted throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Steven Salatino, Valerie (Douglas) Nieman, and Sheree Mayo. Grandchildren include Lauren (Bryan) Carei, Nicholas Salatino, Anthony Salatino, and Benjamin (Carly) Mayo. Great-grandchildren include Rowan and Fletcher Carei. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, and her brother-in-law, Dan Price. In the last few years of her life, she was surrounded by the loving support of her special niece, Charmaine Hacker.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Samuel Salatino, parents, an infant brother and brothers Frank Simonetti, Jr., Albert (Jeanette) Simonetti, Ernest Simonetti, sister Evelyn Price, and son-in-law, David Mayo.

Visitation will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary on Thursday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church located at 790 26 ½ Road, Grand Junction, 81506.

Donations in Mary Louise’s memory may be made to: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church or HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th Street #B, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cappella and HopeWest hospice for their loving care during the last years of her life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Salatino family.