Petra Aranda

ADRIAN- Petra Sanchez Aranda, age 101, was welcomed into the arms of our Lord on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in her home surrounded by love, thoughts and prayers of her devoted family. She was a longtime Adrian resident, a member of Holy Family Parish for over 70 years, and was the oldest ever living Aranda family member. She was born in Melvin, TX on December 22, 1923, to Reyes and Julia Sanchez. Beginning with her roots in Texas, she was one of three daughters. Petra married Casimiro Aranda on August 14, 1941, in Brady, TX, and a year later they moved to Michigan. They were blessed with eight children, and he preceded her in death in 1952.
Widowed at the young age of 29, Petra was tasked with raising her children as a single parent. She was a remarkable woman, taking charge of not only the daily household chores, but was a self-taught learner in bookkeeping and budgeting, all the while always placing the needs of her family first. Her wisdom, influence, and tenacity were an inspiration to her children and left them with a legacy of faithfulness, strength, devotion, and dignity.
Petra was a devout Catholic with an unwavering faith who early-on decided her children would attend Catholic schools. She was a prayerful mother, who had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, attended mass daily, and tithed weekly. She was very proud all eight children received their Catholic education at St. Mary's and Adrian Catholic Central until it closed in 1969. To maintain her household, Petra held numerous jobs including cleaning offices, ironing, and babysitting. After the youngest child graduated from high school, Petra was employed through Adrian Public Schools for 30 years, working in the kitchen at three of the elementary schools. Never having learned to drive, she walked to work, to town, and to church. Her determination to be self-reliant was commendable, resulting in valuable work ethics, traits she passed on to her children. Petra's name means "rock" and her life experiences and faithfulness helped her set the foundation for her children to succeed.
Petra loved conversing and socializing with people and will be remembered fondly for the many conversations she had at Meijers with family and friends. She was a great listener, had a sense of humor, and loved to laugh. She demonstrated humility and was a woman with integrity. She had an exceptional mind for remembering events, especially the birthdates of all her children and grandchildren. Petra spoke quietly but firmly, and her love for her family will be cherished memories for all.
Dearly holding Petra's memory at heart are her sons, Lorenzo (Elsie) Aranda, Mel Aranda, Ted (Anna) Aranda, and Casimiro Aranda Jr.; daughter, Estellita Guerrero; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Petra is now reunited in heaven with her parents; husband; siblings, Maria (Daniel) Rodriguez and Frances (Severo) Perez; son, Santos Aranda; daughters, Vicky Gonzalez and Lucia (Paul) Solis; great-grandchild, Isaiah Gonzalez; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Petra will be held at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home in Adrian on Monday, March 17, 2025, beginning at 3:00 p.m. and concluding with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Michael Newman, OSFS, on Tuesday, March 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, St. Mary Campus in Adrian. Additional visitation will precede mass for one hour. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Adrian. For those who cannot join in person, the mass will be livestreamed on the Holy Family Parish Adrian Facebook page.
The Aranda family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the many people who over the years helped care for their mother, including Region II staff Sherrie McCreary and Department on Aging staff Angie Grimes and Amanda Whitehead. In addition, a special thanks to Tencha Herrera, Linda Berlanga, Sharon Mangus, and Nick Zarves, personal care providers for Petra. The family also wishes to acknowledge Hospice of Lenawee staff Ann, Rachel, Valerie, Danielle, and Amanda for the compassionate care that was shown to their mother.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Petra to Holy Family Parish or Hospice of Lenawee. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.