Gloria De Leon

Services are scheduled for 10 am Friday, March 10 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Gloria Salazar de Leon of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. de Leon, 74, died on March 3, 2023 at her home in Artesia.

Burial will follow the services at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. A rosary is also scheduled for 5:00 pm Thursday at Our Lady of Grace Church.

Gloria was born to Ysidro and Trinidad Salazar in Lake Arthur, New Mexico. She had 14 brothers and sisters. She had 4 children, 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She met and married her best friend and love of her life on June 27, 1970. Together they went on to have 4 children, Michael and wife Lee, Chris and wife Dora, Tony and girlfriend Sonja and Tita and husband Ruben.

She was a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University - Portales for her Bachelor's Degree. She went on to obtain her Master's Degree from Grand Canyon University. Gloria taught first grade in San Antonio, Texas and Roselawn Elementary School. She also taught kindergarten in Dexter, N.M.

Gloria experienced much joy watching her students grow up and become productive adults. Her students loved her so much that when they would see her in public they would still seek her out and love on her no matter how old they were.

She was preceded in death by both parents and Paula Salazar, brother Michael Salazar, sister Tomasa Sanchez, brother Toribio Heredia, brother Guadalupe Salazar, sister mary Navarrette, grandson Ruben Harris, and brother-in-law Joey Catano.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, her four children, her brother Sonny Molina and wife Helen, sister Frances Catano, Sister Vera Lopez, Mary Heredia, Molly Ramirez and husband Pilar, Gina Chavarria and husband Ray, Ysidro Salazar and wife Tabitha, Margie Salazar.

Her love for God and the Virgin Mary was immeasurable. She served God her entire life and sought the guidance of the Virgin Mary in raising her chiildren and also sought her comfort when she needed a mother's love.

Her final hope in life was for everyone she knew and loved to seek a true relationship with God. She hoped that we all would have the peace and readiness, as she had, at the end of their own personal journey.