Norma Salinas Gerardo

Norma was born on May 6, 1943, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to her beloved parents, Elias Salinas Estebane and Adela Salinas Acosta. In 1956, through the generous assistance of kind businessman Ray F. Orton, the Salinas family resettled in Cucamonga, California, beginning a new chapter that Norma would embrace wholeheartedly.

She adapted to her new American home with remarkable ease and grace, going on to graduate from Upland High School with the class of 1961 — a milestone she held dear throughout her life. The friendships she formed with her classmates were not fleeting ones; she cherished and maintained them for decades, a testament to the loyalty and love she offered to everyone she held close.

Norma spent over 26 years as a proud union member working at Stater Brothers Market, where she was far more than an employee. She became a mentor, a confidant, and a familiar, beloved presence to coworkers and customers alike. Her dedication to her work was matched only by her dedication to the people around her.

Never one to stop growing, Norma became a licensed real estate broker in 1996, building a remarkable portfolio through sheer initiative and tenacity. She was as sharp in business as she was generous in life.

Norma was deeply proud of her family and her Mexican heritage — a pride she carried openly and joyfully. She loved to dance, to celebrate, and to fill every room she entered with laughter and light. Her generosity was boundless, her smile unforgettable, and her spirit infectious. If you were lucky enough to call her a friend, there was simply no one better.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Gilbert Gerardo; her cherished children, Yaya Wollenburg and Jerry Fuentes; her beloved siblings, Irma, Manuel, and Rosemary; son in law Paul Wollenburg; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a great-grandson on the way — a new life she surely would have welcomed with all the joy she brought to this world. She was preceded in death by her siblings Elsa and Hector.

In the spirit of her favorite song, Viva Chihuahua, there goes a life fully lived, and there goes a heart that touched so many. Norma Salinas Gerardo — may you dance forever.