Olivia "Chicken" Salas

Olivia "Chicken" Salas 83, passed away peacefully at home July 12, 2026 surrounded by her family.  Chicken was born on July 21, 1942 in Silver City, New Mexico to Canuto Garcia Molina and Refugia Munoz Molina.  She married the love of her life Damas on July 2, 1960 who she told "ay como chingas" on a daily basis.  Together they raised three daughters and one son.  Upon raising her family, she earned her GED, a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a Master's in Guidance and Counseling.  She worked at the Municipal Court, provided substance abuse counseling and services to juveniles, and also worked with special needs individuals.  Chicken was an avid 49ers fan, a Guadalupana, a member of the Silver Women's Bowling League, and taught country and western dance classes.  She loved playing the guitar, singing, dancing, sewing, crocheting, making various crafts especially for holidays and drinking her favorite boxed red wine.  Although she disliked cooking, she made the best galletas, sopapillas, biscochos, and Thanksgiving dressing.  Chicken and Damas also led several wedding marches.  She was extremely supportive of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sports/activities, and would buy anything they would sell.

Chicken will be lovingly remembered by her husband Damas of 66 years; daughters Sonia and Gringa; grandchildren Ricardo Munoz, Justine Munoz (Hondo), Bianca Fernandez (Daniel), and Aaron Salas; great-grandchildren "her chanunies" Audriana and Aujanae, Zac, Nolan, and Leo; her brother Sammy Molina (Katie); sisters-in-law Chelina, Cici, Connie, and Isabel; brothers-in-law Felix and Miguel; all of her special nieces and nephews; numerous Godchildren; her close friends; and Berna Vigil her special caregiver who we all think the world of.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Refugia and Dolores, Elodia Molina, and Ramona Silva; brother Bobby Molina; son Mark Salas; daughter Candy Arenibas; great-grandson Ricky Fernandez; brother-in-law Frank "Negro" Salas; son-in-law Gabriel Ochoa; and her special bowling buddies.

Serving as casket bearers are Daniel Fernandez, Luis Molina, Robbie Molina, Ricardo Munoz, Aaron Salas, and Hondo Sosaya.  Honorary casket bearers are Sammy Molina and Richard Munoz.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Baca's Funeral Chapel, Silver City, NM at 5:00pm.  The Holy Rosary will be recited by Deacon Art Gutierrez at 6:00.  The funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, July 23, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Silver City, NM at 11:30. The final interment will follow at the Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Father Oliver Obele will officiate. Chicken will be greatly missed by the many who loved her. 

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