Jesusa Salazar Rivas

Jesusa “Sue” Salazar Rivas, 91, of Rockville, Maryland passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025.

Sue was born in Bartlett, Texas in 1933. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas where she met and married Harry Rivas. They were married for 66 years. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Rivas (2019), and she is survived by their five children and four grandchildren.

In 1964, Sue and her family moved to Virginia, then to Rockville, Maryland in 1968. During that time, she raised five children and began her career as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). She produced topographic maps for military operations, and she received special recognition for her contribution to digital mapping. She retired from DMA in 1994 after 27 years of service.

In her retirement years, Sue remained active with hobbies and social activities. She bowled on a duckpin league and volunteered at consignment stores in her community. Sue took great interest in antique glassware. She even started her own antiques and collectibles business. Throughout her life, Sue had a passion for music. She loved singing to mariachi tunes, and she seemed to know every song by heart. Sue enjoyed creative writing and joined a writing group where she wrote her memoirs. Sue loved being around people and enjoyed her time participating in a senior daycare program.

Sue had a big heart and was always looking out for others. She will be remembered for her compassion by all who knew and loved her.

Sue is survived by her son, James Rivas; her daughters, Sylvia Morgan (Alan), Christine Lane (Joseph), Sharon Levin (David), and Sandra Rivas; and her grandchildren, Shannon O’Rourke, Ian O’Rourke, Austin (Maggie) Lane, and Liberty Lane.

A private memorial service and burial will be held on May 30, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the assisted living facility, Winter Growth: https://www.wintergrowthinc.org/donate/