Stella Salazar

Stella C. Salazar (88) passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Stella was a Colorado native, born on June 16, 1935, to the late Manuel & Annie Ortega and was the oldest of three children. As a child she lived in Brighton before moving to Denver where she attended school and met her husband, Pete. They married and had six children. She dedicated her life to helping others, which included working at Westwood, West Side and La Casa Health Clinics as a Certified Lab Technician. She retired from Denver Health & Hospital Authority.

She was a kind, giving, non-judgmental woman who allowed people to be ‘just who they are’. This is something she ‘taught by example’ to the four generations following in her footsteps; and her love of animals was no different.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents; husband–Pete Salazar; brothers–Fred Ortega and Patrick Ortega; sons–Roy Salazar and Pete Salazar Jr.; and granddaughter, Stephanie Salazar.

She is survived by her children: Laura (Ray) Trujillo, Vincent Salazar, Ayleen Salazar, and Glenn Salazar. At the untimely death of her brother, Stella also raised her young nieces Estella Ortega & Carina Vigil where her role was not only that of aunt, but also mom/grandma.

Stella was affectionately known as Gram, Grammy, Gram Great, Granny Great-Great, and Nana to her numerous grand/great/great great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren.