Catalina Salazar Cruz Obituary 11/25/43-4/2/24

Catalina "Cata" Salazar Cruz passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 2, 2024, at the Hospice House, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy. She was surrounded by family, and Catalina maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, and love of family and friends until the end. She expressed gratitude for her long life, which was full of wonderful experiences. Catalina's life can best be encapsulated by faith, hope, and love. She experienced and shared an abundance of each in her 80 years here with us.

Catalina Salazar Cruz, a woman of unwavering faith, was born in Cadereyta, Nuevo León, México, on November 25, 1943, and was raised in Raymondville, TX. She was the second of ten brothers and sisters of a devout Catholic family who were migrant farmworkers for many years. Catalina met her husband, Leonides Cruz, in Washington State, and they married in 1971. Catalina and Leonides had two sons, Tony and Freddie, who became educators in the Tri-Cities. Catalina herself dedicated thirty years of her life to teaching catechism in Eureka, WA, and was a pillar of St. Patrick's Parish in Pasco, WA, throughout her life.

Catalina cherished her family and friendships. Catalina's family and friends encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. Catalina's bond with her two grandsons, Lucas and Elias, was filled with true love and adoration. Catalina nurtured her relationships with her love, wisdom, kindness, and always with words of encouragement. Catalina loved cooking, nature, gardening, flowers, music, and game shows. She rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Catalina expressed her love through cooking. She delighted in preparing food for her family and friends, and her kitchen table was a place of refuge for all who had the privilege of knowing her. To know Catalina was to love her and to be loved unconditionally.

Catalina was a beacon of gratitude, appreciating every aspect of life. Even in her final days, she formed connections with the hospital and hospice staff, expressing her thanks to each nurse and doctor and urging them to continue their noble work. Until she could no longer speak, Catalina would convey her profound gratitude for a life filled with cherished experiences, a loving family, dear friends, and compassionate caregivers. Her courage and tranquility in her journey to the Lord served as a testament to her Catholic faith for her family and friends. Catalina truly embodied the essence of a life well lived.

Catalina Salazar Cruz is survived by her husband Leonides, sons Tony and Freddie (Cynthia), grandsons Lucas and Elias, and siblings Ramon, Dolores, Isauro, Angie, Aurora, Ralie, and Joe.