Esther Emilia Salazar

Esther was born in Cali, Colombia, South America, on Sept. 23, 1932. Her father died when she was 2, leaving her family financially destitute. Despite her impoverished circumstances, she was a smart and dedicated student that excelled in her studies. She was a born businesswoman, with great business acumen, that began her business career as a child when she learned to raise doves to sell and gave her mother the money she made to help the family. She also sold the lovely placemats and centerpieces she crocheted, and used the money to pay for her books and study materials.

Her courageous desire to rise above poverty led her to study and work in bookkeeping. She met and married Edgar Salazar Polo and they had 2 children, Edgar Fernando Salazar and Carmen Elisa (Gerald) Shelley. Although she loved her homeland greatly, she dreamt of coming to the United States, and living the American dream, so she encouraged her husband to immigrate by selling their bed before they had even gotten their visas! Her husband immigrated to Chicago, IL, in the early part of 1960. On Sept. 28, 1960, Esther and her two children joined her husband in Chicago, IL; the United States became her adopted homeland. In Chicago, a third child was born, Julia E. Salazar. In addition to living in Chicago, she also lived in San Jose, CA, where her husband worked for IBM, and they ultimately retired in Mesa, AZ.

Esther loved God. Her dedicated search for God’s true church led to her conversion, and the conversion of her family, to the LDS church. Generations will “rise up and call her blessed” for that. She was a “groundbreaker” as she made business deals in Colombia at a time when women in business were extremely frowned upon. These business deals, coupled with sound investment decisions she made, led to the increased prosperity of her family. She loved learning, and firmly implanted in her children the great power of education to change lives, which influenced her son, Edgar, to become a doctor; her daughter, Carmen, to become an interior designer and successful business woman; and her daughter, Julia, to become a lawyer. She taught herself to sew and became so talented that she did not just sew, but made works of art. She used her talents to crochet and knit not only to help herself as a child, but to also make baby clothes for her grandchildren and to make items to help the sick and needy.

She had a lifelong sympathy for the poor and regularly gave clothes away here in the United States and in Colombia to help those in need. She also regularly gave money to feed the hungry, and protect the orphan.

But of her many roles and accomplishments, the role and accomplishment she loved the most and was most proud of, was that of being a mother, and of raising her three children.

Esther battled pancreatic cancer as she had battled all the injustices she had faced in her life, with determination and the courage of a lion. She was born a fighter, with a vibrant soul, full of life, and battled right to the very end. Her strength, courage, and tenacity, will be missed.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Carmen E. (Gerald) Shelley, and Julia E. Salazar; her daughter-in-law, Kathy (Edgar F. Salazar) Bailey; thirteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Oct. 5, 2016, 5-8 pm, at Mariposa Gardens, 6747 E. Broadway, Mesa, AZ. A second viewing will be held at 10 am on Oct. 6, 2016, at LDS Chapel, 3920 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, AZ, with funeral services following from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Esther would be pleased if you made a contribution to any cancer organization to help find a cure for pancreatic cancer or any organization that helps orphans.