Maria Rita Salazar

Maria Rita Salazar, 93 of Portales, NM died Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales. She was born February 22, 1918 in Alamo, NM to the home of Victor and Antonia (Cordova) Chavez. She married Jose Abran Salazar on February 9, 1946 in Santa Rosa. Rita was a homemaker, she enjoyed spending time with her brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews. She made her home in Santa Rosa for many years before moving to Portales. Rita is preceded in death by her husband Jose Abran in 1998; her parents; three sisters Doloritas Chavez, Julia Salazar, and Eulalia Mirabal; six brothers Abel Chavez, Santiago Chavez, Doroteo Chavez, Jose Inez Chavez, Salomon Chavez, and Juan Chavez. She is survived by three brothers Alfonso Chavez of Clovis; Cristobal Chavez of Clovis and Victor Chavez of Albuquerque; two sisters Josefita Paiz of Dora, NM and Teresita Paiz of Portales, NM along with many loving nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation hours will be Tuesday from 1PM to 6PM at the Chavez Funeral Home. The casket will be open at the church one hour prior to the rosary and funeral mass. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 PM Tuesday, January 10, 2012 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM. Mass will be celebrated from the church at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Michael Chavez, Ray Paiz, Douglas Lucero, T.J. Garcia, Steve Chavez, and Pete Paiz. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com