Margaret M. Salazar

Margaret Marquez Salazar came to the end of a life of wisdom, wit, curiosity, love and grace on September 10, 2012, in Whittier, California.We mourn the loss of our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She has joined her beloved husband, Fred, for their next great adventure.Margaret was born on June 2, 1918, in southern Texas. Her family, including 4 brothers and 3 sisters, moved to Los Angeles, California, while she was still a young child.Upon completion of high school, Margaret attended Cal Poly Business School. She soon met and married the love of her life, Fred; they celebrated over 65 years of marriage together.Margaret often shared stories and memories of her life with her children and grandchildren. Frequently humorous, these stories highlighted the love, compassion, wisdom and generosity that were the guiding values of her lilfe.She served her family as a selfless, loving mother. Each of her children has countless tales of her humor, intelligence and unconditional love shining through all that she did for them.Her local community also benefitted from her caring and giving nature; from serving as a room mother in her children's classrooms to being a long standing member of the American Legion Auxiliary and various local hospital guilds. Margaret's service to others became her life-long work. She held presidential offices in local community organizations, including American Legion Auxiliary, Montebello Post 272, the Beverly Hospital Guild and the Whittier Hospital Guild.In addition to raising a family, Margaret, in her own inimitable style, sought to improve her mind.She was a voracious reader of literature and consumer of crossword puzzles - completing both in record time.Margaret's service to others, love of family and intellectual curiosity became the examples that helped shape her children's lives.In her later years, Margaret enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, Fred, and special friends, Mike & Ola Addante. After trips to China, Russia,Egypt, Europe and other lands, she always reminded us that home was the best place to be.Margaret is survived by her loving children, Fred Jr., and his wife Lynn, of Carmel, California, Ernest of Long Beach, California, Patricia and her husband John, of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Elizabeth, of Hacienda Heights, California; seven grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.The family wishes to thank Mary Artino and the staff at Gerinet Hospice Care and the wonderful staff at Whittier Place. Their care and compassion are deeply appreciated.In lieu of flowers, please practice random acts of kindness or make a donaton to a charity of choice.Margaret touched so many lives in so many ways on this journey. She now joins her husband and our father, Fred. They are the two brightest stars in the night sky.Remember her last spoken words:'It's going to be a good day'.