PITA SANCHEZ

PITA SANCHEZ Pita Sanchez, 75, a resident of Pojoaque passed away on January 8th after a long illness surrounded by her loving family. Born in Pojoaque, NM, on October 6, 1938 and raised in the Pojoaque Valley, Pita was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Pita was a graduate of Pojoaque High School and retiree from the State of New Mexico. Pita enjoyed her time working with the Game and Fish division and spoke often about the great adventures she had while working with the director. After retiring Pita dedicated her life to her family and was a part-time mom and personal chef to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews; most memorable were her fresh tortillas and sopapillas that everyone looked forward to after school. In recent years she was the full-time caregiver for her son and traveled the U.S. with him as he sought treatment. She was an active parishioner of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Valle de Pojoaque and a member of the Holy Family Society. Despite her trials in life her faith in God remained unshakable and the love of Christ shone through her actions in all that she did. She always had a welcoming love within her for everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by all those who were blessed to have known her. Pita was preceded in death by her beloved son Joseph "Joey" Sanchez; great-grandson Isaac Mortera; parents Elizario and Estefanita Garcia; In-laws Aquilino and Dolores Sanchez; siblings Guadalupe, Laura, Norma Jean Garcia and Susie Quintana; sisters-in-law Eva Garcia and Celine Sanchez. She is survived by her husband Joe Sanchez; daughter Karen and husband Fred Vigil; grandchildren Stephanie and husband Lou Mortera, Matthew Vigil and girlfriend Patricia Chavez, Thomas Vigil and wife Sara; great-grandson Joseph Mortera; siblings Gloria Montoya (Joe), Elizario Garcia Jr. (Emily), Ray Garcia (Marvine), Flora Martinez (Ross), Annabelle Brazeal (Ron), Robert Garcia(Lucy), Joe Garcia (Debbie), Ben Garcia (Charlotte), Dorothy Garcia; brothers and sisters-in-law Phil Sanchez, Gilbert Sanchez (Lourdes), J.A. Sanchez (Maida), Mary Alice Vigil (Orlando), Wilfred San chez (Bessie), Larry Sanchez (Stella), Bernard Sanchez, Cecilia O'Neil, Cleo Holt (Harold), Geraldine Sanchez, Theresa Louton (Michael); and many cousins, nieces and nephews who she cherished. Serving as pallbearers are: Ramon and Robert Garcia; Gilbert and Larry Sanchez; and Matthew and Thomas Vigil. Honorary pallbearers: Elizario Jr. and Joe Garcia; Phil, J.A., Wilfred and Bernard Sanchez; Joseph Mortera, Audrey Quintana, Jennifer Saavedra, Steven Vigil, Cheryl Smith, Angela Salazar, David Sanchez, Angelina Garcia, Brittney and Matthew Gutierrez. Visitations will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Pojoaque where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; Interment services will follow at the Pojoaque Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Pita to the Benito Garcia Memorial Fund at any Zia Credit Union location (1001 Central Ave., Los Alamos * 505-662-4671) Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com