Frieda Salazar

Loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Frieda Pena Salazar passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 12, 2013 at La Vida Llena following a brief illness. She was 88. Frieda was one of eight children born in San Mateo, New Mexico to the late Rafael and Rosita Pena. Her last surviving sibling is Margaret Garcia of Costa Mesa, California. Frieda married Romulo G. Salazar who preceded her in death in 1989. She lived in Albuquerque all of her married life and spent her entire career at Sandia National Laboratories. She became a role model for many as she grew from an entry level secretary to the first Hispanic female supervisor at Sandia National Laboratories. Frieda loved to dance, garden and as a cook was well known for her apple pie, red chili and posole. She was a gracious, classy, loving and giving woman who was admired by all who met her and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Frieda was a member of the Church of the Risen Savior Catholic church. She is survived by her three children Randy Salazar and wife Lynn of Bluffton, S C, Kenneth Salazar and wife Karen Deaton of Albuquerque, N M and Patricia Salazar and husband Chris Padilla of Albuquerque, NM. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Shawn Salazar and wife Dana of Oakland, CA, Shane Salazar and wife Lynn of Walnut Creek, CA, Ashley Hiben of San Francisco, CA, Jared Deaton of Albuquerque, Dustin Deaton of Albuquerque and four great grandchildren Cassidy, Camryn, Devan and Alexa Salazar. She was most fond of her grand dogs, Mehah, Jamie and Lilly. Frieda was referred to as the jewel of the family by the many nieces and nephews who loved her. A rosary will be recited at FRENCH - University on Friday March 15, 2013, 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass and celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made in her honor to the UNM Carrie Tingley Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 25424, Albuquerque, NM 87125 .