Sophie Litman Salazar

Sophie L. Salazar of Laredo, Texas, age 93, a lifelong educator with the Laredo Independent School District, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2020.Sophie graduated from Martin High School in 1944. She attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1950. She became a teacher with the Laredo ISD, and taught kindergarten, first, and second grades at Buenos Aires, Central, Milton, and Katherine Tarver Elementary Schools. Sophie was very committed to education. Throughout her teaching career, she positively and lovingly touched the lives of many students during her 31 years of service, and retired in 1983.   In addition to her teaching career, Mrs. Salazar was very involved with the Catholic Church.  She began teaching religion classes in 1962 at Christ the King Church, and continued teaching at Blessed Sacrament Church, preparing children for their First Holy Communion. She became a Eucharistic Minister at Blessed Sacrament in 1999. She also volunteered in the office at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for many years.  In addition, she enjoyed volunteering at church for numerous other functions. Mrs. Salazar influenced the lives of countless individuals during her life in many different ways, and had a very positive impact by letting Christ work through her. Sophie also loved spending time with her family.  As a Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother there was always something going on and she was right there helping and enjoying her family. Mrs. Salazar is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Felipe D. Salazar.   Sophie is survived by her 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren; Phil & Diane Salazar Jr., Norma S. Lightner, (Isabel & Jake Puig [Cora, Hailey, Caiden and Asher]), (Oscar Lightner Jr. [Liam Ace]), (Michelle Lightner), Rick & Joanne Salazar (Callie and Katy), Cindy & George Harvilla (David and Michael), and Linda & Mike Goodnight (Ethan and Connor).   Sophie is also survived by her brothers, Peter, George, and Jesse Litman; sisters, Alice Romero, Lucy Villarreal, and Jane Garcia; brother and sister-in-law, Cesar and Sara Salinas, and numerous nieces and nephews.   A rosary will be recited on Friday, February 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow to the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.The Salazar family would like to thank her primary care physician, Dr. Ildefonzo Flores, and her home health care team, made up of Interim HealthCare and Laredo Gentle Hands Hospice Care. The family would especially like to thank her devoted and loyal caregivers, Bertha, Melissa, and Leticia with Interim HealthCare.   If you would like to sign the guest book or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com   Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.