Jessica Alana Sánchez

Jessica Alana Sanchez 38, devoted mother, loving wife, faithful daughter and sister died on June 24, 2024, surrounded by the family she adored following a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Jessica's calling in life was service to her community and lending the eloquence of her voice to the voiceless among us. Her calling began when she was eight years old, she once said, when she joined her family at church in serving Thanksgiving dinner to the unhoused. She recalled feeling intimidated when serving her first plate to an older woman.

"As I placed the plate in front of her, she glanced up," Jessica recalled. "She didn't speak, but there was a calm gratitude in her eyes. I felt connected to her. God opened my heart in that moment and enveloped me with peace."

Her continued dedication to social justice occurred as a 5th-grader when she delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of her peers at an anti-nuclear dump rally in downtown El Paso.

This commitment to marginalized voices solidified as a student leader at El Paso High School, where she also demonstrated her tenacity. Her goal at that stage of her life was to attend Stanford University in California. While those around her encouraged her, it was always with a modicum of caution that this highly selective institution may not admit her. She was undeterred by such caution and was admitted to Stanford in 2004 where a year later she met Rolando Manzo at Casa Zapata, Stanford's Chicano/Latino-themed dorm. He would become the love of her life.

Mimicking the adoration between Jessica's parents that she was exposed to growing up, Jessica and Rolando became inseparable. They took classes together, sang a cappella together, and studied abroad in Berlin together.

After completing undergraduate studies and internships at Stanford, Jessica and Rolando moved to Boston in 2009 where Jessica attended Boston University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2012. Two years later, Jessica and Rolando married.

Following a brief venture in Chicago, Jessica and Rolando returned to California in 2016 where Jessica became professionally engaged in her life's calling while working for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles. There, she championed social justice and advocated for migrants and refugees in her everyday work life.

While her calling was service, her passion was family. Jessica was the heart and soul of family life in terms of celebrations, holidays, and travel experiences. The blessings of Jessica and Rolando's life increased multifold three years later with the birth of their daughter, Leila Itzel Manzo, the source of joy and pride for their family.

Despite Jessica's cancer diagnosis in 2020, she demonstrated eternal faith in God and love of family. Her smile always lit up the room and filled all those around her with hope even through the obvious pain and challenges she endured.

In the final weeks of her short life, Jessica was constantly surrounded by those she loved most. Her beloved Leila held her hand and gave her hugs every chance she got.

"We are chosen by God for a life of discipleship," Jessica once said. "If we choose to follow, we are called to observe the world around us and respond to the signs of the times. In this process of discernment, we are tasked with utilizing our gifts and talents to enrich the human experience. These gifts and talents are our inheritance from the Lord, there to be used as tools to build up God's Kingdom. This is how we as a human family prosper."

Jessica Alana Sanchez is survived by daughter Leila Manzo; husband Rolando Manzo; sister Jacqueline Sanchez; mother Estela Mora; father Jose Luis Sanchez; sister-in-law Mayte Manzo; and brothers-in-law Osvaldo Manzo, Alexander Manzo, and Ramon Chavez.

Funeral Services:

Vigil

Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:00pm

American Martyrs Catholic Church

700 15th Street

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Funeral Mass

Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10:00am

American Martyrs Catholic Church

A reception in honor of Jessica will follow at the conclusion of mass in O'Donnell Hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Jessica to one of the following nonprofits that had a positive impact on her life:

El Centro Chicano y Latino at Stanford University

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA)