Clara Mendoza Salaz

home to be with Jesus on August 8, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona after a

long, valiant battle with Covid-19. She was a two-time cancer

survivor, had conquered numerous health issues over the past 30

years, and fought like a true warrior this time. But, it was time to rest

and God ultimately deemed her too good for this world.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Sonya Vanessa Salaz;

brother, Abram (Alice), sisters, Irene (Ernest) Lopez, Lydia Reyes,

Cecelia (Robert) Valenzuela, Dora Espino, along with a plethora of

cousins, second cousins, third cousins, nieces and nephews,

grandnieces and grandnephews, great grandnieces and great

grandnephews and close family friends, all of whom she loved dearly.

Her parents, Abraham Robles Mendoza and Clara Herreras Mendoza

as well as her brothers, George and Francisco, preceded Clara in

death.

Clara grew up in Tucson, the third youngest of nine children and is

remembered as sweet and shy, but extremely witty and clever. She

attended Pueblo High School, but was forced to drop out when she

was 15 due to her mother being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She

and her young siblings cared for her mother until she passed away at

home. (Clara later attended classes and completed her GED).

At 22, Clara married her former husband, Richard Salaz. His

occupation with Western Electric Company allowed them to travel

and live in various parts of the country, such as New York City,

Albuquerque, NM, and the luxurious destination of Sioux City, Iowa.

They enjoyed this childless couple lifestyle for many years until Clara

became pregnant and they permanently relocated back to Tucson,

AZ. It was then that she found her life’s true vocation--motherhood.

When her daughter was born, Clara immediately became the most

loving, dedicated mother. Clara lived (and would die) for her

daughter, Vanessa. She was the most selfless, nurturing spirit and

she focused all of herself on her daughter. After her divorce, she

proved to be a resilient, hard working, tireless, and supportive single

parent. She displayed qualities of love, generosity, and perseverance

to which her daughter will always aspire.

Clara possessed the looks of a movie star with none of the ego. She

was compassionate and witty. She had the most radiant smile and an

infectious laugh. A hug from her would fill the soul with warmth. She

was known for her amazing personal and decorating style, good taste

and delicious cooking. She had no vices, except for the occasional

trip to play the slot machines and maybe cats. (Can one really

consider cats to be a vice?) She was forgiving and generous to a fault

with others, but expected perfection from herself.

Clara was a living example of the definition of love as found in Saint

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (4-8). In fact, one could replace

the word “love” with “Clara” and it would still make perfect sense:

Love is patient, love is kind:

Clara had such a sensitive, tender heart that she found beauty

everywhere, especially in places where others ignored it. She loved

pigeons. She thought they were so cute. Most people hate them and

see them as nothing but a nuisance. She recognized their beauty

even though they were often seen as common and invisible. She

always rooted for the underdog and searched for overlooked

creatures that needed love and support. “Clara’s Circus” is what

many called her refuge. She cared for many different animals over

the years. She once saved a pigeon with a broken wing and spent

weeks nursing it back to health. Who would ever think to do such a

thing? It flew away when it was healed. However, a few months later,

she heard a light knocking on the kitchen door. Though she didn’t see

anyone, she opened it to find her recovered pigeon friend. It had also

brought along several of its fellows to visit. It seems word got around

that Clara was cool. She treated them all to some breadcrumbs and

giddily watched them enjoy from the kitchen window. (True story!)

She loved all animals, but had a special place in her heart for cats. In

fact, her 16-year-old cat loved her so much that she decided to cross

the Rainbow Bridge 13 days ahead of her in order to greet her and

accompany her on the rest of her journey.

Love is not boastful or envious or arrogant or rude:

One time, Clara was shopping with her daughter at a Woolworth’s in

downtown Tucson when she noticed a security guard seemed to be

following them around the store. She became concerned and even

irritated. Did he think she was trying to shoplift? Was this racial

profiling? Being herself, she couldn’t rudely tell him to take a hike.

She stopped and turned to him and politely asked why he was

following her. She assured him she had no intention of stealing or

doing anything wrong. He answered, “Ma’am, underneath this

uniform, there is still just a man.” She was so unaware of her stunning

beauty. It had never occurred to her that she was just being admired.

Not being boastful, she never told anyone about this experience, she

just took her daughter’s hand and giggled with her about it as they left

the store.

Love does not insist on its own way:

Clara was always her daughter’s biggest fan. She nurtured and

supported her love of music and natural talent. As much as she

wanted her darling daughter as close to her as possible, she

accepted that her daughter would need to travel far away from her in

order to realize her potential and eventually perform opera throughout

the world. There was a large part of her that would much rather have

had her daughter choose an occupation that would allow her to stay

local and near all the time, but she chose to cheer her treasured

daughter on, in spite of the pain of being left behind.

Love is not irritable or resentful:

She did not possess a mean bone in her body. Clara never took her

personal troubles out on others. She was a calm, loving, empathetic

presence that her nieces especially felt they could confide in and

share secrets.

It does not seek its own interests:

Clara always thought of herself last, if at all. She was generous to a

fault and was the caretaker for her father for many years, moving him

in to live with her and her daughter. She would also routinely

entertain visits from her brothers and serve them meals, while she did

their laundry for them. Like Saint Francis, she always strived to

console, rather to be consoled herself. When her daughter was

tasked with letting her know her cherished cat had passed away, she

ended up enfolding her crying daughter in her arms and comforting

her instead.

It is not quick-tempered. It does not brood over injury:

She was always willing to forgive and even comforted those who had

wronged her. Clara was never prone to an angry outburst, even when

it appeared justified. She often felt pity for the internal pain and

damage that troubled people must suffer that caused them to behave

in cruel ways.

It does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth:

Clara lived her life with fierce integrity. She would never lie, or do

anything deceitful or dishonest. It was simply not in her nature. She

held true to her standards, even when to stray would have seemed to

benefit her.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures

all things:

Our dear Clara suffered much in this life. Many who experienced and

suffered what she did would have become hardened and bitter. But,

Clara’s heart, though indestructible, remained soft and tender. She

was so sensitive and delicate, yet nothing could ever break her. She

was the kindest, gentlest soul one could ever hope to meet.

Love never fails:

Clara’s powerful, loving spirit lives on and will continue to comfort and

guide all those whose lives she touched. Her life will shine eternally

as an example of what the human heart can endure and accomplish.

In keeping with protecting the sanctity of the health of others,

attendees at all services will be asked to adhere to social distancing

and to wear a mask at all times. Vanessa hugs and kisses you all

with her heart, but will not be participating in any physical contact at

this time. Thank you for respecting her wishes.

Please honor our beloved Clara’s memory by continuing to practice

social distancing and wearing a mask in all public places. If everyone

had done this, she might still be with us today.

A visitation for Clara will be held Friday, August 28, 2020 from 8:30

AM to 9:45 AM at Funeraria del Angel University, 7 East University

Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85705. A funeral service will occur Friday, August

28, 2020 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle

Roman Catholic Church, 5150 N Valley View Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718.

A committal service will occur Friday, August 28, 2020 from 12:00 PM

to 1:00 PM at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ

85705