(Sept. 22, 2008)
Sally Ann Cruz, 70, died Monday, Sept. 22 at Powell Valley Hospital after a long struggle with cancer.
She was born May 26, 1938 in Powell, daughter of Santiago and Sally Alvarez. She attended Powell schools and graduated from Powell High School in 1956.
Sally married Valentine Cruz on Aug. 7, 1957, in Powell. In addition to being a homemaker, she was a baker at the Powell Valley Hospital for 34 years.
She was a member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church and also belonged to American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW and Eagles. Sally enjoyed traveling, gardening and visiting family and friends. She loved all types of music, especially country and Mexican music.
Her family will remember Sally as a loving and caring mother and grandmother who always had a friendly smile on her face and was devoted to caring for her family. In recent years, Sally and Angel enjoyed traveling across the U.S. to visit family and friends.
Survivors include three sons, Valentine Cruz Jr. of Yakima, Wash., James (Barbara) Cruz of Lincoln, Nebr., and Henry (Sherri) Cruz of Fairview, Mont.; two daughters, Charlene Large of Three Rivers, Mont., and Rachel (Shaun) Cruz-Nickles of Worland; two brothers, Tony (Lola) Alvarez of Cody and Raymond (Julie) Alvarez of Thorton, Colo.; a sister, Vera Villareal of Sacramento, Calif.; her companion of the last nine years, Jose (Angel) DeLeon of Powell; 10 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by brothers-in-law, Pete Cruz of Fremont, Calif., Tim (Marge) Cruz of Powell and Martin Cruz of Salt Lake City, Utah; and sisters-in-law, Avelina Cruz of Powell, Tomasa (Lupe) Macias of San Lorenzo, Calif., Rosalia (Art) Velasquez of Garden Grove, Calif., Julia (Edward) Mascarenas of Las Cruces, N.M., and Vera Cruz of Pueblo, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Santiago and Felicitas Alvarez; her husband, Valentine Cruz; and her sister, Connie Gutierrez.
Rosary will be said Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at St. Barbara’s, with Father Glen Szczechowki officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.