Martha Pilar Salazar

Martha was born on May 28, 1939 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Martha emigrated to the United States in 1964 for the same reason many seek to come here, a better life with greater opportunities. Almost all her siblings and her parents joined her in the United States in the decades that followed.

Martha made her life here in Chicago. She worked most of her life at Continental Insurance and when that closed, finished her working career with the Albany Park District. Martha earned a B.A. in Psychology from Governors State University in University Park, IL. She was known for being a great cook and it gave her pleasure to see family and friends enjoy her cooking. When visiting family, she always brought gifts of food.

Martha leaves behind several brothers and sisters: Francisco (Lissy) Salazar, Angel (Diane) Fuentes, Myriam (Jaime) Martinez, Janet Dyon, Ximena (Orlando) Amaya. Nieces and nephews: Janeth (Andrew) Salazar-Ohst, Patricia (Sean) Pent, Bianca Dyon, Zuri (Jeremy) Carroll, Gina Fuentes, Angela Fuentes, Carolina (Francisco) Alvarez, Gianella (André) Kang, Jaime (Sofia) Martinez, Bryan Amaya.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Mercedes & Medardo Fuentes, brothers Carlos Fuentes and Raul Fuentes, and sister Marlene Fuentes.

A private memorial service for family was held on March 30th. Martha’s ashes are interred at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.