Mary Salinas

Mary G. Salinas
April 30, 1944 – September 30, 2024

Mary Salinas, 80, of Waco, peacefully passed away at Ascension Providence Hospital on September 30, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. Viewing will be held Friday, October 11 from 5-8pm with funeral services at 11am Saturday, October 12, both held at OakCrest Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Cemetery.

Mary was born April 30, 1944, in Runge, TX to Gilberto and Rosa Gonzales. She lived and went to school in Nordheim, TX. From the age of 17, she along with her parents and siblings, were migrant field workers until she married at the age of 19. Mary met her husband of 61 years, Richard Salinas in Nordheim, TX at his father’s dance hall at 14 years old. From that time forward, they went steady and later married July 20, 1963, while Richard was on leave from the United States Army.

After the army, they settled in Waco, TX. Altogether, they had 5 children, the first born, Joanne Salinas, on base in Ft. Lewis, Washington. The other children, Richard Salinas, Jr., Robert Salinas, Lisa Salinas, and Maria Salinas all born in Waco, TX.

Mary was a phenomenal wife, homemaker, and devoted mother to all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family friends. She would wake up before dawn, cook breakfast and pack lunch for her husband, worked full time, cooked 3 meals a day always with stacks of fresh homemade tortillas and fed each and every person that walked through her front door, no matter the time of day. Her love language was taking care of and feeding others. Over the years, she battled and beat breast and stomach cancer. She was a shining example of love and strength to all around her. Mary was well known in the community from working in the manufacturing/sewing industry, playing and working at every Bingo Hall in Waco, onsite security for Salinas Security Services, to Pilgrim’s Pride from where she finally retired. Mary did not stop caring for others. She was soft spoken, did not curse, but while working security, you did not want to mess with Mrs. Salinas. She gave you a look and you knew it was time to leave the dance hall or get put out!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilberto and Rosa Gonzales; baby brother, Ricardo Gonzales (Ricky); father and mother-in-law, Adan and Matilda Salinas; and brother-in-law, Ramon Salinas. Survivors include her beloved husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; along with siblings, Clara Salinas (Aunt Tia) and husband Viyer, Gilberto (Speedy) and wife Judy, Rosita Salinas (Rosie), Bruno Gonzales and wife Sherri, sister-in-law Jovita Valle (Jovi) and husband Frank, and sister-in-law Debbie Gonzales.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Destinee M. Salinas, Gabriella K. Herrera, Maribella M. Salinas, Miguel J. Salinas, Isabella R. Salinas, Ariana M. Salinas, Cierra C. Walker, Alexandria C. Mitchell, Ryan D. Mitchell, and Christopher E. Walker, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren: Damyen E. Elisalde, Addison S. Elwood, Alliana S. Elwood, Devyn M. Salinas, and Atom S. Wilson.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and doctors in the ICU department of Ascension Providence Hospital along with other doctors that cared for her long term.