Ernestine Mary Salazar-Suazo, of Woodland, died at age 87 in Woodland Memorial Hospital on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Mrs. Salazar was born on March 29, 1921 in Cuba, N.M., and was a graduate of the University of New Mexico holding a master's degree in bilingual education. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Gallina, N.M., and was a principal in Lybrook, retiring from the Santo Domingo Public Schools system. Locally, she was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Mrs. Salazar is survived by daughters, Viola Kocher and husband Bob, Stella Vanderpool, and Rita Valenzuela-Eagle and husband James. Other survivors include her six grandchildren, Dennis and Nichole Vanderpool, Justin and Holly Valenzuela, Charles Savala and Kevin Eagle; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by sisters, Lillian Madrid, Lena Strieb, Lucille Martinez, Emma Sanchez; brothers, Frank Salazar, Edward Salazar; stepbrother Luis F. Garcia; her parents, Eduardo D. Salazar and Patrocinia Salazar; and grandparents Manuel and Delfina Salazar.

Servces: A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 301 Walnut St., Woodland. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at Palm Gardens, 240 Palm Ave., Woodland. Inurnment is scheduled at a later date at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 860 West St. Assisting the family with arrangements is Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland.