Celina Prescilla Muller Salazar

Celina Salazar passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, Sept 24th after a brief unexpected illness.

Celina was born to Eusebio and Dolores (Lola) Muller in Lamy, New Mexico on May 26 1933, the fourth child of nine. As a head cheerleader, homecoming queen, and the first in her family to graduate high school, Stanley High School, she was a busy, loving, and bright child and teenager.

She married Felipe Salazar Jr. on July 2, 1953, and throughout her life supported her husband through tours in the U.S. Navy during both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. At the same time, she raised six children, worked part-time in schools and domestic jobs, and remained actively involved with her family, church, and community.

During her lifetime, she lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband, where together they became active in spreading their faith and praying with both inmates and the St. Jude community.

A faithful and devoted member of the Catholic Church, Celina served as regent for the Catholic Daughters of America and played an instrumental role in many state conferences on their behalf. Even when she could no longer attend Mass in person, she faithfully watched services on TV and received Holy Communion weekly.

A longtime Democrat Party supporter who believed deeply in democracy, freedom, and women’s rights, Celina organized and participated in numerous political activities, from grassroots efforts to working at the polls.

In their retirement years, Celina and her husband enjoyed traveling—attending Navy reunions for the USS Halsey Powell, going on cruises, and spending time in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

Celina was known for her love of fishing and all sports—especially football, baseball, and basketball. She loved to dance, to sing in the choir, and to fill her life with music.

Above all, Celina will be remembered as the cornerstone of her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose loved ones knew her as both their steady rock and their greatest supporter. With a generous heart, she listened with care and always put her family first. Her home, her heart, and her life were always open—she had a gift for drawing people in and making them feel cared for through her warmth and kindness. She poured her love into crocheting and knitting, creating blankets, doilies, and beanies for those she loved—once even making enough beanies for an entire football team. Truly one of a kind, Celina will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Celina is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, her son Phillip Salazar III, and daughter Annette, and her grandson Dennis.

She is survived by her children Yvonne, Al, Gertie, Cathy and her daughter in law Starr; and her 9 grandchildren and their spouses and children. She is also survived by her sister Jane and her brother Sid as well as many nephews, nieces, family and friends.

The family invites you to join them in celebrating and remembering Celina’s life on Tuesday October 14th. To honor her, please also consider wearing something in her favorite color—purple.

In lieu of flowers, contributions will be collected for her favorite charity St Jude’s.

Service Details

Rosary 10am; Mass 10:30am                                                                                                                                                                                         St. Thomas Aquinas Church 1502 Sara Rd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Burial will follow                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Vista Verde Cemetery 4310 Sara Rd Rio Rancho, NM 87124

A Reception will be held immediately following the burial                                                                                                                                           The American Legion Post 118  1500 Barbara Loop SE Rio Rancho, NM  87124