Maria Elena Gamboa Salas' Obituary
Maria Elena Gamboa Salas, age 77, passed on April 3, 2020.
Maria, affectionately also known as Nena to close family and friends, was born September 22, 1942 in El Paso, Texas to Jose Arias and Paula Sotelo. She was the third of five children. Maria married David Gamboa in 1963; he preceded her in death in 1988. Four children were born from this union. Maria remarried Francisco R. Salas, Jr. in 2000; he is survived.
Maria was proudest of her children and was quick to celebrate their accomplishments. She was a model of great work ethic and adventure but most importantly, resilience and faith. These traits she passed on to her children along with her quick wit and sense of humor.
Maria graduated from Jefferson High School in El Paso, Texas at the top 10% of her class and later followed a career in banking which began in Los Angeles, California before moving to Dallas, Texas with her family in 1971. Maria eventually retired from Bank of America after 25 years. In her retirement years, Maria enjoyed every opportunity to dance, travel, play slots at the casino and care for her cats. Maria had a very strong faith and belief and love of God, Jesus Christ and St. Jude.
Maria is survived by her husband Frank Salas, sister Josephine Ayala, brother Joe Arias, Jr, daughters Lilia Salucci (Joe Salucci), Elvia Jaimes, Delia Gamboa, and son David Steven Gamboa. Maria is preceded in death by her parents, husband David Gamboa, sister Eva Arias, and brother Rudolfo Arias. Maria is also survived by countless nieces and nephews and her beloved eleven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters, who knew her as Grandma or Little Peepaw.
Father Gaston Giacinti will conduct a private graveside service, which will be held at 11:00AM on April 15th at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery in the Garden of the Cross, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of Maria E. Gamboa Salas to Spay Neuter Network at www.spayneuternet.org, an organization that provided support and care for several years in Maria’s quest to love and care for neglected dogs and cats.
Services for Maria Gamboa Salas are currently pending.
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