Concha "Connie" (Salazar) Acosta

Concha “Connie” Acosta was born December 5, 1930, to the home of Jesus Salazar and Sara Rueda in Ojo de Agua, Zacatecas, Mexico. She died at her home in Portales on June 19, 2021, and went to her heavenly home with our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales, and a Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales. Burial will follow at the Portales Cemetery.

Concha’s father was a farmer and her mother a homemaker on their farm in Mexico. As the first daughter born following four sons, Concha learned all the arts of homemaking at a young age. She also learned to raise farm animals and harvest crops. But Concha’s dream was to live in the United States of America. 

After marrying, having a son, and becoming a widow in Zacatecas at the age of 19, Concha found an opportunity to move to Juarez, Mexico, the closest she had ever been to the United States. She had a plan to begin her new life and start her American Dream.

While working in a restaurant in Juarez, Concha became acquainted with a couple from Roswell, New Mexico, who were frequent customers, and who also owned a Mexican restaurant in their hometown. She asked them if they needed help at their restaurant and if they would sponsor her with a work visa. They did. Concha’s dream was being realized.

While working in the restaurant in Roswell, Concha met the love of her life, Juan Beltran Acosta, who was also on a work visa as a bracero for the railroad. They fell in love and were married in 1953.

It was at this time they decided to work on a ranch where a home was provided for them. Concha used her homemaking talents and Juan used his ranching talents working for Jim Williamson on a ranch near Milnesand, NM. Mr. Williamson sponsored the young couple, and their son Juan Acosta, Jr., to apply for and receive their permanent residency in the USA, for which they were forever grateful. Their American Dream was being realized.

Over the next few years, Juan and Concha added three more children to their family: Caroline Acosta in 1954, Yolanda Acosta in 1955, and Oscar Acosta in 1957. 

The young family worked for several ranchers in eastern New Mexico, then moved to Elida where all the children attended the Elida Schools. Concha was proud of the many accomplishments of each of her children. Having the opportunity to watch her son Oscar become a professional baseball player and coach brought her a special joy. 

Concha was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.

During her lifetime, Concha worked as a housekeeper for several different ranch families where their children became her children. She loved and worried about them as if they were her own.

Always a strong woman, she fought for what she believed in. She was a breast cancer survivor.

Concha loved preparing for and participating in holiday festivities. Her tamales were legendary, shared by family and friends throughout the area.

Her grandchildren were her world. She played a special role in raising Naomi and Noel Nunez, passing on her work ethic, good morals, and values to them as she did to each of her children and grandchildren.

Concha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Juan Acosta; her son, Oscar Acosta; her daughter, Yolanda Acosta; her granddaughter, Kimberly Aragon Nunez; and her great-granddaughter, Danisten Nunez.

She is survived by her daughter, Caroline Acosta-Flores (Manuel); her son, Juan Acosta, Jr. (Ernestina); 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

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