Maria Salinas Alanis, 87, died Thursday, Feb. 21.
She was born in General Teran, Mexico. She was raised in Estacion Aldamas, Nuevo Leon, Mexico where she met and married Domingo Alanis on Feb. 9, 1951.
She and her husband moved to Riverbank, where she lived for 54 years.
Mrs. Alanis worked for many years at Hunt Wesson and retired in 1985.
Her favorite hobbies were sewing, gardening, and cooking for her family. She was well known for her delicious tamales and delicate polvorones cookies.
She was an active parishioner at Saint Frances of Rome in Riverbank. She was an activist not only for her people, but for her parish community where she petitioned and succeeded in bringing a mass spoken in Spanish. She was also involved in various ministries that include The Crusillos, Encuentros Matrimoniales, the Guadalupanos, and was a Eucharistic Minister. She was involved in the United Farm Workers march, where she walked with Cesar Chavez, and housed people who were participating in the march. She also fought for women’s rights to have equal opportunities in all canneries.
Visitation and rosary were held March 1 at Lakewood Funeral Home, Hughson. A holy mass was held March 2 at Saint Frances of Rome, Riverbank.
Lakewood Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.