Obituary of Mary Dolores Salas

Mary Dolores Cabatu Salas passed away unexpectedly on November 3, 2021 at the age of 74. She was born in Hollister, California on June 14, 1947.

She attended Gonzales Grammar School for a short time, Castroville Grammar School and North Salinas High School. Mary loved to sing, and was active in Girls’ Glee at North Salinas High School and also sang in the choir at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Castroville.

Mary was a wonderful person who lived her life her way, and you learned to just get on board, or be left at the station! She loved to dance, and if you were lucky, you caught her rendition as Tina Turner dancing to Proud Mary!! She had a huge laugh and didn’t hold anything back. If you heard her laughing, you ended up laughing with her. She led a simple life and was very generous with her time and shared whatever she had. She was always more interested in trying to assist others with the little she had, rather than enriching herself. She was a huge bingo fanatic! If she wasn’t home, chances were that she was at a bingo hall. Mary loved the Dallas Cowboys and was always making little side bets on the outcome of different sporting events, especially with brother-in-law Carlos.

She loved her family, and was always excited about the holidays and getting to spend time with everyone. Mary was a great Filipino cook and gifted her family with Lumpias at Christmas and also made Pancit for many family parties. Her Flour Enchiladas were also a big hit and her food was always in great demand!

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ignacio and Jovita Cabatu. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Henry Salas; son, Nestor Baligod (Dianna); daughters Lourdes Navales (Andrew Trevino) and Lisa Navales (Che Martinez). Seven grandchildren Cassandra, Nicholas (Sabrina), Gabriel, Serina (Jeff), Gavin, Isabella, and Karissa. Four great grandchildren, Saana, Gianna, Alani and Nicholas, Jr. She is also survived by her three sisters, Martha Aldape (Carlos), Helen Olson (Tim), and Loretta Rider (Charley, deceased); and one brother Mog Cabatu (Regina). She also had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is greatly missed by her furry grandbaby, Rollo and during her many phone conversations with her sisters, she never failed to ask about her furry nieces and nephews, Chacha, Bonzai and Bootsie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

Visitation: Healey Mortuary, Tuesday, November 16, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.; Rosary 4 p.m. Funeral Mass: Wednesday, November 17, 1 p.m. Madonna Del Sasso Church, 320 East Laurel Drive, Salinas 93906.