Fr. Stephen Alan Sanchez

Fr. Stephen Alan Sanchez, age 55, a resident of Belen, NM passed away on Wednesday, May 4. He is a 1974 graduate of Belen High School and attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe receiving his bachelor’s degree from the College of Santa Fe in May 1978. Fr. Steve then completed four years of graduate studies in theology at St. Meidrad’s seminary in Indiana earning a Masters of Theology and Divinity Degree in May of 1982. He was ordained to the Priesthood in Santa Fe, on May 29, 1982 at the Basilica of St. Francis by Archbishop Robert Forture Sanchez.˜He has served at San Felipe de Neri in Albuquerque , San Miguel in Socorro, St. Mary’s in Vaughn, Holy Child in Tijeras, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Santa Fe, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Moriarty, St. John the Baptist in San Juan Pueblo, Queen of Heaven in Albuquerque, and presently at Our Lady of Fatima in Albuquerque. He has served as Chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital and Lovelace Downtown for the last 14 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Milton B. Sanchez; paternal grandparents, Ventura and Mauelita Baca Sanchez; and maternal grandparents, Juan S. and Fidelina Chavez Garcia. Fr. Stephen is survived by his loving mother, Lupe Garcia Sanchez; two brothers, Patrick Sanchez and wife, Eva of Seattle Washington and Matthew Sanchez and wife, Chun Chen of Albuquerque; one sister, Kathleen Overstreet and husband, Ernest of Albuquerque; uncle, Bences Sanchez; aunts, Flora Sanchez, Christina Contreras, and Victoria Dow; four nephews, Bryan, John, and Jessie Sanchez, and Phillip Overstreet; four nieces, Andrea Settle, Katie and Cassie Sanchez, and Lauren Overstreet; three great-grand nieces and one great-grand nephew. All services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome beginning with a viewing at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 8 with a rosary to be recited at 3:00 p.m. A final visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 9 with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan officiating. ˜Burial will follow at the Priest Cemetery located in front of the Parish office. A reception will follow the services at the Parish Hall. Pallbearers will be Fr. Anthony Maes, Fr. Doug Raun, Fr. Clarence Maes, Fr. Carlos Chavez, Fr. Johnny Lee Chavez, and Fr. Stephen Schultz. Honorary pallbearers will be Tome parishioners and surrounding Parishes, friends, classmates, and relatives. The family wishes to thank Immaculate Conception Parish, Fr. Jose Hernandez, Mons. Francis Eggart, and all priests, deacons, and choirs who attended.

Fr. Stephen Alan Sanchez

May 6, 2011