Olivia Joann Velasquez Salazar

Olivia Joann Velasquez Salazar, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Ohio Living Llanfair under the gentle care of Hospice of Cincinnati. She was born January 14, 1937, in Lockhart, Texas to the late Pedro Velasquez and Cecelia Alfaro. She was a loving sister to three siblings: Jesus Velasquez (deceased), Margaret Hernandez, and Juana Arollo (deceased). Olivia is survived by her daughters Monica Salazar Garcia, Dolores Salazar Olsen, BettyJo Rosas (Joe), son Jake Salazar (Ana). Olivia is also survived by her grandchildren: Raul J. Garcia, Jason M. Garcia (deceased), Victor S. Garcia (Francine), Maria M. Garcia, Leroy Salazar (Monica), Kenneth K. Salazar (Natalie), Genevieve E. Rosas , Jessica J. Camacho (Everardo), Nicholas J. Olsen, David M. Olsen (Jessica), Marina A. Salazar, and Gabriela P. Salazar, great grandchildren: Julian, Malia, Destiny, Celeste, Jocelyn, Victor, Jazmine, Elliot, Emma, Nomar, Ramon, Alyssa, Julian, Lucas, Andy, Gwendolyn, Haley, Leila, and BettyJo, great-great grandchild Sabella and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Olivia worked and lived in the Midwest as a migrant worker before settling down in her beloved San Antonio. She lived on her own terms and climbed a mountain of struggle to provide for her children. She loved walking downtown San Antonio, attending fiesta parades, reading books, journaling, and cheering on her San Antonio Spurs. For decades, she maintained a fierce walking regime walking several miles everyday and was quick to strike up conversation with people she met along the way, sharing her tremendous sense of humor.

Olivia attended church at San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and spent a lifetime praying for her children and grandchildren. She especially prayed to St Joseph. Olivia was a fan of science fiction and enjoyed watching movies, reading comics and books on the subject. Against all odds, while raising three daughters, in the midst of the civil rights movement, Olivia earned an Associate of Science in Physics from St. Philip’s College.

Due to Covid-19, the family will hold a private gathering.

She will be forever missed by all those that knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Olivia’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Cincinnati.

https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/other_ways_to_give

https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/