Delia Barrientoz, 87, passed away peacefully at her home March 4, 2026. Born May 16, 1938, in El Salvador, she came to the United States in 1958 and built a life defined by kindness, resilience and deep faith.
She worked for many years in the hospitality and food service industry, touching countless lives with her warm presence and gracious spirit. Delia was devoted to her Christian faith and became politically active in the fight for the human rights of Salvadoran civilians in the midst of a brutal war between the U.S.-backed government and the leftist FMLN guerrillas.
Delia loved the simple joys of life – watching birds, spending time at the beach, great food, conversation and listening to music. Her joyful laugh and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by her family.
Delia is survived by her daughter, Loretta O’Donnell-Ricco; her sisters, Alicia, Sylvia and Ana; her grandchildren, Michael, Jacquelyn and Matthew; and her great-grandchildren, Michael James and Edward Martin. She was predeceased by her husband, Martin, and their daughter, Jacquelyn Maria.
As the family bids farewell to Delia, they celebrate a life beautifully lived and a heart that gave so freely. Her spirit will continue to inspire and comfort them, just as the sight of a bird in flight or the sound of ocean waves will forever remind them of her love for the world and her place in it.
The article originally appeared in the March 12 – 18, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
