Soledad Sanchez

SANCHEZ, Soledad "Bebe," 95, of Tampa, passed away May 11, 2011. She was predeceased

by her parents, Ramon and Felina Sanchez; her brothers, Manuel Sanchez (Hazel) and Raymond Sanchez; and her sisters, Camilla Lopez, Angelica Montes de Oca (Herbert), Onelia Sanchez and Mercedes Menendez (Mario). She is survived by her nieces, Adrienne Napoli (Don), Arline Hoskinson, Darcel Schouler (Bob) and Lisa V. Bernard (Scott); nephews, Jason Napoli and Gavin Napoli; grand-nephew, Daniel Schouler; grandniece, Jacey Napoli; and numerous cousins.

Bebe was a true Ybor City native, born and raised in the same neighborhood all her life. Storytelling was her favorite pastime. She spoke of Ybor City as it used to be, the people and events that made it what it was during her growing up years with her siblings. She loved sports, including Yankee baseball, Buccaneer football and even wrestling. She could call up stats about any player like a sportscaster and, many a day, had screaming matches with the game she was watching and how the players were playing and always had a comment on the inability of the coaches to do the correct placement of players and plays. Family gatherings always included poker with her siblings and brothers-in-law, and best of

all, a platter of the best natilla (Spanish custard) in the city. She went peacefully and without pain and for that the family thanks all involved nurses and doctors in emergency services and the critical care unit, and for the inpatient care she received until her last day at St. Joseph's Hospital. A celebration of her long life will take place 10-11 a.m. Monday, May 16, at Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.