Helen Apodaca Salazar

Helen Apodaca Salazar passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the age of 93.

She is preceded in death by her husband John; sons: Tommy and Victor; and brother Ralph.

She is survived by five sons and one daughter: Mike (Debbie), Robert (Heidi), John (Shawn), Danny, Barbie (Joe), Jimmy (Carol); sisters: Flora and Polly; seventeen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great grand-children; and one more great-great on the way. 

Helen Apodaca Salazar was born in Los Angeles, California to Andres Apodaca and Beatriz Sanchez. They moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1933 when she was six. In her younger years, she enjoyed watching Shirley Temple and loved to dance. She grew up in San Jose and graduated from Albuquerque High in 1945. She married John F. Salazar in 1947 and together they had seven children. She was industrious and thrifty, making her children’s clothes, delicious meals and creating wonderful memories for her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel and often spoke fondly of her trips to Florida and Puerto Rico.

Besides being a mom and wife, she had several careers. She worked initially as a telephone operator and eventually a front desk clerk at the El Fidel Hotel. She also worked for a short time at the Sandia National Laboratories and later worked for the State of New Mexico as a Social Worker for the Department of Human Services, Income Support Division until she retired. After retirement, she found her favorite hobby as a VIP points collector at Sandia Casino. She attended Church at St. Bernadette’s near her home and will be missed and loved by friends and family alike.

She had deliciously wonderful recipes that will be missed such as her world famous traditional O’Salazar corned beef and cabbage stew on St. Paddy’s Day. Other Sunday afternoon staples that Helen concocted were her barbecue beef, red chili posole, and her legendary natillas and sweet rice. With so many children, picnics, family movie nights at local drive-ins, and other excursions throughout New Mexico and the Southwest, were considered necessary and educational.

Her faith and family was of utmost importance to her throughout her life. She was extremely intuitive and smart and with age came a wisdom that she shared freely. Her “Helenisms” will be cherished by her friends and family for many years to come. She loved golf and tennis and enjoyed Pioneer Day.

Helen's Life Celebration will begin with a Mass on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church located at 1860 Griegos Rd NW, 87107. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery located at 1900 Edith Blvd NE, 87102. 

Due to the COVID restrictions set in place by the Governor, masks are MANDATORY to attend Helen's Mass and Burial. The Church has a current capacity of 100 people. Mount Calvary Cemetery is allowed to have 10 people at the graveside and asks that all attendees stand back in groups of 10 6 feet apart.

Helen's Mass and Burial will be live-streamed on Reflections' Facebook page. You do NOT need a Facebook account to view the live-stream. Please click the links below at the scheduled times.

Pallbearers will be Rob Salazar, Peter Rivas, John Thomas Salazar and James Salazar. 

Honorary pallbearers are Andrea Sanchez and Mercedes Salazar.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Apodaca Salazar, please visit our floral store.