January 5, 1928 – November 30, 2021
Sister Regina Clare Salazar, CSJ passed away in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 2021. She was born in New Mexico but came to Los Angeles as an infant and lived most of her life there. Regina Clare first met the Sisters of St. Joseph when she was a freshman at Catholic Girls High School. “I think it was in my junior or senior year that I decided, yes, I would be a Sister of St. Joseph.” She was received into community on March 19, 1946.
Her early years in ministry were dedicated to education at all levels and then she was asked to go into hospital administration. Beginning in 1983 as President/CEO of Daniel Freeman Hospital, Sister Regina Clare served in many capacities for the hospital, President of Carondelet Health Care Corporation, Corporate Vice President of Sponsorship/Mission and Vice President for Mission and Philosophy, until 2007. People asked, ‘Did you choose this?’ She would say, “I never chose a blessed thing. They just pointed at me, ‘She can do it. Send her.’”
Sister Regina Clare was always able to make people feel welcomed and valued. Her sense of presence was tangible. Looking back, we will always be grateful that Sr. Regina Clare happened to be around when God was looking for someone to send. May she rest in peace.
She is survived by her cousins Diana, Charotte and Clara Baca and other family members.
Funeral arrangements are: Graveside service and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery on December 14 at 10 a.m.; service of remembrance will be January 5 at 2 p.m. on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to anyone who requests it and provides an email address. You can do this by notifying sharon@csjla.org.
Donations in memory of Sister Regina Clare Salazar may be sent to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 11999 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
Dear Sisters of St. Joseph, it was a privilege to be part of the Daniel Freeman Hospital family under Sister Regina Clare’s administration from the mid eighties until post 2000. She was the epitome of grace, kindness, benevolence, professionalism, and compassion. May her soul Rest In Peace and her human and healthcare legacy live on forever.
I was the Director of Environmental Services at Daniel Freeman from 1982 to 1986. Sr. Regina was the President at that time. My four years at Daniel Freeman were some of my best years in the hospital industry. Sr. Regina Clare was an excellent administrator. She included me in many ministries at the medical center.
I just retired to Florida and going through pictures today I came across a picture of her as I was leaving Daniel Freeman to begin my ministry education in North Carolina. She was such an encouragement as I began this journey. She always encouraged those under her leadership to continue to grow. That encouragement was helpful in my always seeking to grow in my education for the ministry. I would eventually earn a Doctorate in Theology. I will never forget her, Daniel Freeman and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the opportunity they gave me.