Sally C. Sanchez

1931 -2021 On the morning of September 29, 2021, as the sun rose over Sally C. Sanchez, her soul was lifted to Heaven. She was born in Belen, NM on May 10, 1931, on Mother’s Day. Sally attended St. Mary’s School in Belen and graduated from Belen High School. After graduating, she and her friends moved to Albuquerque where she went to work at Sandia Base as a clerical typist. Sally would often go home to her parents in Belen on weekends. One weekend while attending a dance, in walked the man she would marry, Joe Louie Sanchez. After they married, they purchased the house they would live in for the next 67 years. Sally continued to work at Sandia Base until 1956, when she and Joe adopted a son and then a daughter. As the kids grew older, Sally missed working and went back to work at Madison Junior High School at APS. But she missed working at the base and got a job as a Civilian Personnel Specialist until she retired as a GS13 in 1993. During Sally’s time in Civilian Personnel, she was finally able to go to college and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Albuquerque. After retiring from the base, Sally missed working and was then employed at Garson and Sons before completely retiring. She wasn’t done yet. Now Sally was able to pursue all of her hobbies and crafting like sewing, knitting, quilting, and crochet projects. She also did needlepoint and became an expert woodworker on the scroll saw. Sally also loved bowling, skiing, golf, reading, and doing various duties at Our Lady of Fatima Church. She stopped her duties at the church when she developed “OAW” s (Old Age Wobbles) but continued her faith. Sally was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Joe L. Sanchez; parents, Alejandro and Dolores (Lola) Castillo; a brother, who passed away at birth, Jesus Maria Castillo; and granddaughter, Karen Elizabeth Moore. She is survived by her brother; J. Phillip Castillo; son, Bruce Sanchez and wife Nora with grandchildren, William and wife, Alicia, Kathryn Kesten, Elizabeth and Rebecca Sanchez, and great- grandchild, Peter Espinosa; daughter, Carol Crandall and husband Mark with grandchildren Danny Moore and wife, Andrea, Krista Moore and great-grandchildren, Daniel Moore and Kiefer Sordia; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Pallbearers will be Sally’s grandchildren, William Kesten, Kathryn Kesten, Elizabeth Sanchez, Rebecca Sanchez, Danny Moore, and Krista Moore. Honorary Pallbearers will be Peter Espinosa and Daniel Moore. A public viewing will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. and interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. Please sign Sally’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM

Sally C. Sanchez

May 10, 1931 - September 29, 2021