Stella Salinas

Stella Luevano Salinas, age 48, our precious one, passed away unexpectedly in her home in Rio Rancho, on Sunday, February 7, 2016. Stella was known for her tremendous musical talent as a classical pianist and her beautiful voice. She touched the lives of many young people during her time at Pennsylvania State University where she worked as a recruiter for multicultural students.
She loved to cook and bake and would send out Christmas baskets of goodies to family and friends, old and new.
Stella graduated from Las Cruces High School and went on to Oral Roberts University, where she graduated with a degree in Performing Arts. She attended Kutztown University in Pennsylvania where she earned her Master's degree in Counseling and Psychology. Most recently she had been the Music Director at the Unitarian Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
She is survived by her life partner, Theresa French, her mother Elvira L. Salinas, three sisters, Alicia Montoya and Beatrice Montoya of Santa Fe, NM and Sarah Montoya of Las Cruces, NM. She also leaves her cherished aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Also touching Stella's life were Erin Pruitt and John Arnold Smith, longtime friends, and Barbara Taliaferro, a mentor and friend. Stella was preceded in death by her father, Eliseo C. Salinas, in 1968.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 from 10:00-11:00 at FRENCH - Rio Rancho Desert View Chapel with Funeral services immediately following. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. Please visit our online guestbook for Stella at www.FrenchFunerals.com
FRENCH - Rio Rancho
(Unser Blvd. north of Northern)
1950 Pine Road NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
(505) 338-2000