Carmen Salas was born on April 3, 1960, in Chihuahua, Mexico. She was born to Paula Molina and Francisco Reyes. She lived her early years in Mexico with her mother and her little sister Cecilia. Her father worked for a family in New Mexico, and he would visit his family every weekend. The family was able to become sponsored and they moved to southern New Mexico in the summer of 1966.
In Arrey, her parents had additional children. Carmen now had two brothers, Francisco, and Leonardo, and one sister, Maria. Carmen attended grade school in Arrey and then in the nearest town, Hot Springs, attended high school. She was an active member of her sports community. She was involved in softball, basketball, and volleyball. She earned most valuable player in volleyball for the 1977 – 1978 season. She was known for her competitive spirit, and she was so competitive that in 1977 there was a “Jacks” tournament where she dominated taking home first-place. Her competitive nature and love for sports would remain a continuous attribute to her character throughout her life.
In Arrey, Carmen’s family found themselves living across the street from another family. This family had six brothers and one sister and one of those brother’s name was Phillip Salas. Phillip and Carmen starting dating in high school and eventually were married in 1977. Carmen had planned to go to college but decided to pause her dream of a college education and start her family. She knew she would return to this goal later in her life. Shortly after Carmen and Phillip were married, she gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Sarah. The couple began looking for job opportunities and a family support system that led them to move to Phoenix in 1978. Phillip’s mother had one sister and three brothers that would assist the couple with becoming their support system. Carmen and Phillip wanted more children and would come to have two healthy baby boys, first came Albert Phillip Jr. and then John James.
Carmen and Phillip’s values were transferred to their children by returning to their roots for the holidays. They would return to New Mexico and visit their families. They were lucky to have each of the grandparent’s home right around the corner. Carmen and Phillip wanted to expose their children to their upbringings and what life was like for them in New Mexico. New Mexico was a vast new landscape that they introduced to their children by taking them to the local hangouts and nearby towns that were impactful on Carmen and Phillip Sr.’s younger years.
As the Salas’ traveled back and forth between their past and their future there were still weekends of studying, school assemblies, practice, and sport tournaments. Carmen busied herself in her children’s lives’ as well as her own interests. She never gave up on becoming a college graduate and returned to school. She earned an associate degree from Glendale Community College and then a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix. Carmen also involved herself and her husband in co-ed sports, such as co-ed softball, bowling and indoor soccer. She enjoyed meeting new friends within each community she was a part of and maintaining those friendships. She loved gatherings where her family and friends would come together. To some she was a social butterfly who would talk to anyone and who got along with most. Carmen was known for her ability to laugh – a laugh that was memorable and contagious. In the late 1980’s, Carmen and Phillip found a permanent residence in Glendale. Carmen was able to use her education to become employed by the state of Arizona. Her first job was with the Corporate Commission Office and then the Ombudsman Office.
Carmen’s own children would come to carve out their own journeys from graduating from high school, attending college, meeting their significant others, and having grandchildren. Carmen was excited when Danika and Eddie entered her life. Serving as an abuela to her grandchildren she looked after them with loving care and would do anything for them. She was an instrumental figure in her grandchildren’s lives’ as she made every exception to care for them and be involved in all aspects of their lives. This was one of the many joyful moments she experienced in her life.
In 2016, Phillip’s mom was sick and was nearing the end of her life. The family immediately traveled back to New Mexico to be with the family. After the passing of Phillip’s mom, Carmen would experience another traumatic blow of her own cancer diagnosis. She immediately underwent surgery and recovered. Carmen enjoyed her time in remission and spent it with family and friends, she traveled, celebrated the holidays, watched sports, and continued crafting. Two years later Carmen experienced a reoccurrence with the cancer, and she battled against some form of it for the rest of her life. Carmen’s courageous fight came to an end on June 4, 2021. She was just 61 years old.
She is survived by her loving husband, Phillip, her daughter Sarah, Phillip Jr. and Mandy, and John James, Alex, Danika, Eddie, Maria, Cecilia and Roger, Francisco and Loretta, Leonardo and Lupe, and her parents Paula and Francisco.
Carmen will always be remembered for the unconditional love she gave, her empathizing nature, and her contagious smile and laughter. She was always surrounded with love and hope and will be dearly missed by her family. She is forever etched in the hearts she touched, and she will always have the love of her husband who will always love her.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelo
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