Obituary of April Justine Salinas

April Justine Salinas returned home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 12, 2017. April was born on July 9, 1986 at Centre Community Hospital and is the daughter of Martin and Tawnya Salinas of Mackeyville. April graduated from Central Mountain High School in 2004 and attended Lock Haven University, earning a degree in Recreation Management (fitness track) with a minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2009. During high school, April competed on the Lock Haven YMCA gymnastics team and taught tumbling classes there as well. While in college, April sang in the university choir and other choral ensembles, and was a member of the LHU Cross Country and Track and Field teams. The Haven Cross Country "family" became a significant, meaningful piece of April's life. April was also president of the LHU Strength, Conditioning and Fitness Club. She was employed at the Truckstops of America in Lamar as a waitress while attending college. After graduating college, April maintained three jobs, including a position at East Coast Fitness in State College. She continued to train clients there up until the time of her death. In 2014, April landed her dream job and was hired as the Fitness Coordinator for The Village at Penn State, where she was currently employed. In addition to her parents, April is survived by her sister, Genae, who resides in Arlington, Virginia and her brother, Shane, who attends LHU and is at home. Also surviving is April's maternal grandmother, Beverly Tuley of State College, and paternal grandmother, Teresa Salinas of Boise, Idaho. In addition, April has a multitude of loving aunts, uncles and cousins scattered across the country. She was especially close to her aunt Margo Williamson and Margo's partner Gary Armstrong, who live locally. April lived her life to the fullest, never wasting a moment or missing an opportunity. Everywhere she went, she seemed to touch the lives of multiple people with her positivity and enthusiasm for life. April was happiest surrounded by friends and family. She had a passion for running and competing in everything from marathons to triathlons to obstacle course races. She loved taking long walks with her mom and spending time at home. April loved to eat and try new foods, as well as sing and dance her heart away. April's role at The Village, her coworkers and the residents who lived there brought her great fulfillment and gave her strength and motivation as the cancer progressed. All the amazing things April overcame and experienced defined her. Her love for her family and friends defined her. The strong faith she held defined her. Her passion for the work she did defined her. Cancer did not, and never will, define her. Arrangements are being made through both Koch Funeral Home and the Salinas family. A celebration of April's life will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College on November 25, at 3p.m. The family is encouraging casual, colorful clothing to reflect April's lifestyle. Memorial contributions can be made to the following: Skin cancer education and Melanoma research foundation "Outrun The Sun" at https://outrunthesun.org/ Community Cancer Treatment Center: Checks can be made to Community Cancer Treatment Center; ? Matt Kwiterovich; 211 3rd Street, Lewistown, PA 17044. Please place in memo: Patient in need fund. Your chosen place of worship. Online condolences and signing of April's guestbook may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.