Sierra Wave Media

Eastern Sierra News for June 16, 2024

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth (Betty) Salinas February 10, 1932 – January 17, 2024

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother
and dear friend passed away quietly on the evening of
January 17, 2024.

She had much to do yet in life but needed to be with our
father who had passed away only four months before.
Betty was born on February 10, 1932, to
Richard Harris and Ellen (Crandall) Harris.

Raised in the Long Beach/Compton CA area, a child of the
depression she would always say. She went to boarding
school during her Junior High years, graduating from San
Pedro High in the summer of 1950.

While working for a Title Insurance Company in Los Angeles,
she was introduced to a very handsome man, Armando (Sal)
Salinas, who had just gotten out of the navy. They were
married at St. Columba’s Episcopal Chapel in Downtown Los
Angeles, a union that lasted almost 70 years. Their frst home
was in Santa Ana, CA, and that is where they raised 4 children.

Betty was a stay-at-home mom, with a creative “Entrepreneur”
spirit. Always going above and beyond with her love of
organizing and decorating any event in the home, church or in
any other of her many Cottage Industry businesses she had
over the years. In 1972 Betty and Sal made a huge decision to
move to Mammoth Lakes, CA, a place we had gone camping
and fshing to or many summer vacations!

Sal worked for the local telephone company and Betty, with
the help of Sal and Lori, started a fabric store called The Pine
Needle. She was and excellent seamstress and was able
to use her creativity there at the fabric store and within the
Mammoth Community. It was there on Mammoth’s Centennial
anniversary in 1976 that Betty decided a quilt should be made
depicting the history of Mammoth Lakes for the last 100
years. Squares were sewn and embroidered by Betty and
the women of the town. It turned out to be an incredible idea
and quilt, which was on display at the California State Fair in
Sacramento, and now resides permanently at the Mammoth
Lakes Branch Library.

When Sal retired, they moved to Minden, NV and remained
in the home they built together until their deaths. They enjoyed
camping with friends, traveling on a few cruises and Betty was
able once more, to use her creativity at the Coventry Cross
Episcopal church, which was her other family that she loved
very much!

Betty is survived by her 4 children, Lori, Cari Robert and
Edward, and their families which include 12 grandchildren,
4 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way!

One of Betty’s greatest dreams was to have a huge
barbeque at their home overlooking the majestic Sierra’s,
flled with family, friends, neighbors and church family.

So, we will Celebrate Betty on Saturday, June 1st, 11:00
am. First with burial at the Eastside Memorial Park, 1600
Buckeye Road, Minden, NV. Then over to the Salinas
home, 1563 Steve Ct. Minden or a barbeque, in which
all friends, neighbors and church family are welcome to
attend. Please bring your memories of Betty with you,
there will be lots of chocolate kisses there!