Petrita Salazar

Petrita Juanita Salazar (née Sandoval), age 72, and a resident of Truchas, NM,  went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 27, 2024, after battling a lengthy illness. 

Petrita was the first born to Lorenzo and Orlinda Sandoval (née Barela) on August 23, 1951, in Embudo, New Mexico. She later went on to receive her GED and proudly got her Associates in Auto Mechanics, specializing as a Transmission Mechanic. 

Petrita had a variety of hobbies and interests that brought joy and fulfillment to her life. Some of these included her growing fresh vegetables, baking biscochitos and homemade tortillas, her passion for exploring family history, trying her luck at the Casinos, expressing her creative side with her scrapbooks and sewing. She loved to dance and would often take the spotlight on any dance floor, especially with her cousins at Ohkay Casino. But you’d never see her without a can of Pepsi or Coke enjoying her time surrounded by her family that meant the most to her.

In addition to her parents, Lorenzo and Orlinda Sandoval, Petrita is preceded in death by her grandparents, Pedro and Louisita Barela, her aunt Grace Sandoval, and her cousins Andy and Ross Sandoval.

Petrita is survived by her children Melissa Martinez of Leadville, Ray Romero of Truchas, Guillermo Salazar of Truchas, and Manuel Salazar of Truchas; her 11 grandchildren: Abigail (Nick Sanchez) Martinez, Roy Martinez, Adellmo (Nora) Salazar, Justine Salazar, Savana Martinez, Manuel Salazar Jr., Daniel Salazar, Catalina Salazar, Amanda Salazar, Josiah Salazar, and Adrian Salazar; her 5 great-grandchildren; Jaxon, Keyon, Delilah, Ozias, and Romina; her brother Walter (Deena Palmer) Sandoval, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. 

Petrita will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and neighbor who was always there to support her loved ones. Her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Family will receive friends at the DeVargas Funeral Home, 623 N. Railroad Ave. Espanola on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 5:30 and a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Nuestra Señora del Rosario Mission Church in Truchas, Friday, February 9, 2024, at 11:00 am, with burial to follow at Los Llanitos Cemetery in Truchas, NM.

Pallbearers will be Adellmo Salazar, Nick Sanchez, Lorenzo Sandoval, Carlos Barela, Archie Trujillo, and Johnny Sandoval. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ray Romero, Guillermo Salazar, Manuel Salazar, Manuel Salazar Jr., Daniel Salazar, Roy Martinez and Jaxon Martinez.

The family of Petrita Salazar has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477.