Dolores H. Salanger

We lost a remarkable woman on March 7, 2021 when Dolores Salanger left this world to join the saints in Heaven. Dolores will be missed greatly by many. She was a rock to which all loved ones could anchor in a storm. And while storms there were a few, the joys were far greater.

Dolores was born in 1924 in Chatham, NY to Stephen and Elizabeth Huvar. She grew up during the Great Depression and during WWII attended Syracuse University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She chose a career path that was a true ministry, serving with passion and grace to ease suffering and promote healing. Her work included Syracuse hospitals, physician practices and public health nursing.

In November of 1949 she married James Salanger Jr. and together they had seven children. Each child was a blessing who added his/her own personality to a large, happy, active and loud family. James and Dolores built a home in the hills of Fairmount in which love was ever present and a hot meal was always waiting to be served. Setting the bar high, they taught through example to give fully of your gifts to the church, your family and your community. Dolores had been a communicant of Holy Family Church since 1953.

Armed with her faith and her characteristic optimism and strength of spirit, Dolores was always up for an adventure. Whether it was trips to Florida, Ireland or Hungary with family, tubing at age 80 with her grandkids on Skaneateles Lake, or attending any and every event she could for one of her 18 grandchildren, she was always ready to go. Interested and interesting Dolores could talk to anyone. In her beautiful green eyes, you saw that you were truly heard. Babies were a joy for Dolores, and she never met one she didn’t want to hold. The legacy she leaves behind is rich in the blessings of a long life well lived. Her children revered her, her grandchildren adored her, and all who knew her admired her. Her impact will pass from generation to generation as the legend of her life is shared to those already born and to the soon to be born great-grandchildren. If only she could have held them all. Godspeed Mom. You will be missed fully and always, as much as our hearts can bear.

Dolores was predeceased by her husband, James F. Salanger, Jr.; and her son, James F. Salanger III.

She is survived by her children, Terry (Tom) Tamayo of Rhode Island, Stephen Salanger of Tipp Hill, Matt (Mary Ellen) Salanger of Skaneateles, Bridget (Ray) Eckel of Cape Cod, Liza (Dick) Lowery of Westvale and Maggie (Mike) Barrett of Camillus; brother, James Huvar of Valatie, NY; daughter-in-law, Chris Salanger of Fairmount; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday, March 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Face coverings are required.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 12 at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse. If you are unable to attend, you can view the live streamed funeral Mass by visiting Holy Family Church’s website and clicking on Dolores’ service. Dolores will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.

Donations can be made in her honor to the Dolores Salanger Nursing Education Fund, UHS Foundation, 10–42 Mitchell Avenue, Binghamton, New York 13903.