Aurea Esther Salas

She is survived by her husband, Jose “Julio” Salas, who was the love of her life and cared for her with patience, grace, and tenderness. Julio walked hand-in-hand with his love through sickness and in health. Julio was relentless in making sure she felt loved, comfortable, and cherished.

She is also survived by her sisters, Carmen Rodriguez, Delia “Gilly” Ortega, and Lydia “Lila” Valdez; her five children, Luis Domenech (Margie Domenech), Michael Domenech (Janet Domenech), Radames “Ray” Maldonado (Millie Maldonado), Annette Torry (former husband Gregory Torry), and Rosa Maldonado (Lina Beltran); and her many beloved grandchildren (Amanda, Jennifer, Doralisa, Natalie, Aaron, Alexis, Rebecca, Christian, Valerie, and Amelia), great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and more.

Esther was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico in 1945, and even after leaving the island for New York and later Florida, La Isla Bonita always stayed close to her Boricua heart. Esther was tough from the start and grew even fiercer as a young mother to her five children. She faced and survived countless adversities, including being a breast cancer survivor, but did everything in her power to keep her family safe, knowing they were loved, and laughing, always. She was fulfilled in her early work in education and later as a florist. Her friends often told her she was “la flor mas bella” of all the flowers with which she worked. But her favorite job was being a grandmother, lighting up with joy being with her grandchildren – tickling, singing songs, rubbing bruised knees and promising to make it better with “sana sana colita de rana.” She was fearless and loud and would do anything to make her friends and family burst into laughter. She cursed like a sailor and shined in the spotlight. No matter how far away from herself Alzheimer’s took her, music brought her joy – a tapping foot, a swaying hip – music touched her soul. She loved her family fiercely and they loved her fiercely in return. She was and always will be the heartbeat of her family. Her children each share the following fond memories of their beautiful mother:

Luis – I remember one time in Brooklyn some guys were starting trouble, and she really let them have it. They backed down because she was no joke!

Michael – She was the toughest Latina mom you’d ever meet – but you couldn’t find a more loving, caring mother in the whole borough. Love you forever, Ma.

Ray – Simply put, Mom was a fighter. She was always swimming, never sinking.

Annette – My favorite memories are of her in gold hoops, gold bangles, makeup perfect. A force to be reckoned with. She overcame every obstacle, stood proud, and instilled in me a drive to be a strong, educated, independent woman.

Rosa – Ma has always been my hero. I wish I had one last chance to tell her. She was a fighter, a true Survivor. She never gave up. She always wanted the best for us.

Esther’s family invites you to join them in celebrating her life.

Details for the viewing and funeral service can be found below. In lieu of flowers, donations towards the funeral costs would be greatly appreciated and can be directed to Esther’s daughter, Rosa, at paypal.me/ttroro. For alternative donation methods please contact Esther’s granddaughter, Amanda, at [email protected]. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.