Virginia "Vir" (Archuleta) Salaz

Virginia A. Salaz, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, peacefully passed away on October 12, 2022 in her home in Las Vegas, New Mexico at the age of 63.  She was born on July 15, 1959 in Las Vegas, NM to her loving parents Manuel and Gloria Archuleta.  Over the course of her life she was a resident of Portales, Tucumcari, and Las Vegas, NM.  She was a wonderful teacher both in Portales, and Tucumcari.  When she came back to her hometown of Las Vegas, NM she worked for the Developmentally Disabled individuals which she absolutely loved.  She was a huge Oakland Raiders fan., she often would say she bleeds black and silver.

            Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Gloria Archuleta of Las Vegas, NM; husband George Paul Salaz Sr. of Portales, NM.; beloved son, George Paul Salaz Jr. of Albuquerque, NM; companion Fred Montoya and other numerous family members that she loved dearly.

            She is survived by her son, Kenneth A. Salaz and fiancé Tina Lucero-Salaz of Las Vegas, NM; daughter Gloria R. Salaz-Sanchez and husband Will Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; a daughter-in-law Regina Salaz of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren:  Luciano Salaz,  Ramon Salaz, and Cesar Salaz all of Albuquererque, NM, Mark Madrid and Ramon Madrid who lived with Virginia at the time of her passing, George Paul Sanchez of  Albuquerque, NM, Shana whom she loved as a daughter (Malcom) and  Billy of Albuquerque, NM.  She is also survived by her sisters:  Glenna Ortega of Las Vegas, NM and Debra Nelson (Santos) of Las Vegas, NM and beloved brother, Manuel Archuleta Jr. and wife Marsha of Las Vegas, NM and countless nieces nephews, cousins, and friends.

            All services will be held in Portales, NM at St. Helen’s Catholic Church with a rosary on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.  The interment will follow in the Portales Cemetery. 

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