Marcella Rosario Salinas

Marcella Rosario Salinas, devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend was called to glory to meet her Savior on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 85, after a long battle with COPD.

Born in Laredo, Texas on October 24, 1929, she was the youngest child of the late Ezequiel Salinas and Luisa Gonzalez Salinas. She was preceded in death by her siblings Ezequiel Salinas, Mario Salinas, Nella Salinas Mendoza, Blas M. Salinas, and Roberto Salinas, who she joins in eternal heaven.

Marcella's greatest contribution in life was raising her five children, who will carry on her legacy. She is survived by her children: Victor Muris Salinas (Imelda) of Mexico City, Mexico, Marcella Salinas, Raquel E. Salinas (Alex), Sylvia Castillo (Oscar), of San Antonio, Texas and Patsy S. Johnson (Willis) of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by fourteen beautiful grandchildren: Victor, Mauricio, and Rogelio Muris Rodriguez (Sylvia); Guillermo, Marcelo and Leslie Muris Zamora (Imelda); Cecilia and Edward Salinas; Aaron, Angela, and Nathan Castillo; and Nicholas, Jordan, and Alyssa Johnson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Graziella Salinas (Roberto) of San Antonio, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends. We will all miss her dearly.

Marcella, lovingly called Chela, graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1947, and attended Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She was employed as a Special Education Teacher's Aide from 1975-1995 at C.L. Milton Elementary in Laredo, Texas.

As a young mother, Marcella was highly active in her children's schools, becoming a member of the City Council of PTA's. She was also a Co-Chair of the Helping Hands of Laredo, Texas, which designated safe homes for children after school. During that time she was also a member of the Beype Social Club. Marcella was usually the designated carpool driver, towing her five kids and their friends around Laredo, creating many memories of fun times in the car. Her gift of warm hospitality was evident in her home, which was a revolving door, welcoming a constant flow of friends and family. Imparting her love of gardening and pets to her children, she is remembered for her colorful Sweet Pea flowers that grew across her chain link fence on Clark Blvd., and her homemade fig jam made from her orchards, as well as several beloved dogs who made their home in the Salinas household. Many of her friends and children will also remember the fun days and nights of canasta card games and other social gatherings at the Salinas home. Marcella lived with an unwavering faith and a joyful spirit that touched many lives.

The family would like to thank the staff of Morningside Manor, Unit 6 for their care during her recent years while living there, and Adriana Castaneda, her primary caregiver, for her loving companionship, kindness, and attentive care. In addition, the family would like to thank the staff of VITAS Hospice for their compassionate care.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 6 until 8 pm, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas. A Memorial Service will follow on Wednesday, October 29 at 10:00 am at Porter Loring North with Father Jeff D. Mead, Chaplain at Morningside Manor, officiating.

Inurnment will be at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Antonio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 or at www.lung.org.