Eloisa Virgilia Salas

Eloisa Virgilia Salas, 90, beloved mother, sister and aunt passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter on Tuesday, March 15, surrounded by her family. A devout Catholic and life-long member of Saint Anne Catholic Church, Eloisa was a native of Armijo (Albuquerque) and was one of seven siblings. She graduated from the old Albuquerque High School downtown in 1944 and shortly thereafter moved to Los Angeles to work at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation as a "Rosie the Riveter" during World War II. Upon the war's end, she returned to Albuquerque, where she met her future husband, Lupe Salas, whom she married in 1959 and with whom she eventually raised two children in Albuquerque's South Valley.

Eloisa lived a fulfilling life pursuing a number of simple pleasures. She, along with her husband, enjoyed flower gardening, singing in their front yard accompanied by Lupe's accordion, watching the moon rise, dancing at the numerous Albuquerque area parish fiestas, eating at her favorite restaurants, visits to Battleship Rock in the Jemez Mountains, and spending time with her daughter and son. Eloisa was greatly loved by her nieces and nephews, and thought of many as her older children (her "first family"). She constantly prayed, both for her family and her friends, and will be greatly missed.

Eloisa is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann and her son Raymond; sister Cecilia and brother Fernando (and wife Virginia); and 32 nieces and nephews. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 1400 Arenal Rd. SW. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 21 2011 at Saint Anne with interment to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers are Andrew Gutierrez, Diego (Dan) Gutierrez, Adrian Sanchez, Philip Chavez, David Sanchez, and Frank Delwiche. Honorary Pallbearers are Anna GutiAC.rrez, Lupe Pollock, Cecilia Backe, Sylvia Wortzman, Cathy GarcA