Antonia V. Sanchez

Antonia V. Sanchez born September 23, 1937 in Mexico went home to be with her Lord on September 1, 2015 at the age of 77. She has gone to be reunited with her loving husband, Jesus S. Sanchez; her parents, Arcadio and Paulita Vargas; her beloved son, Eduardo Sanchez; three brothers and one sister. She is survived by her children, Mary (Edward) Reyes, Jesse (Mela) Sanchez, Rudy (Lenda–Rhea) Sanchez, Marissa (David) Leal, and Alma (Alvin) Sanchez West; 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was a beautiful person and will be forever in our hearts. She had a great relationship with her brothers and sister that was clear by the humorous and loving way that she spoke of them in her many stories of growing up in Piedras Negras. Antonia earned her citizenship at the age of 17 and came to the United States to work. She told us how she came to the United States in the month of November when all the stores had their Christmas décor up, lights were twinkling and the United States was everything she wanted. Life was beautiful and she felt there were endless possibilities. She helped her sister Esperanza Vargas Estrada with her growing family in Eagle Pass. It was here that she met the love of her life, Jesus S. Sanchez. They married and started their family. They moved to San Antonio for a fresh start and began a family of their own. She and Jesus worked hard and built their life together with their 6 children. During the summer months the family traveled and worked as migrant workers. This intensive labor work instilled in the children a strong work ethic and taught many life lessons. Antonia was dedicated to her family and taught us that through hard work and discipline we could accomplish anything. She instilled in us a strong work ethic and the value of an education. Although she never finished school in Mexico, she was able to complete college level training with H&R Block. Her love of learning and education was ever-present in her everyday life as she worked her crossword puzzles and helped us with homework. She passed this love of education on to her children who continue to thrive and advance their careers through education. She often spoke of her desire to have become a nurse which is what inspired Mary and Marissa to become RN’s.
Our mother was an extraordinary person that touched many lives and she never turned any one away. We often teased her that she could make a wall talk to her. She was very endearing and charismatic and genuine which is evident through the way people were drawn to her. Children everywhere called her grandma and she never corrected them. Even people’s children in the stores smiled and seemed instantly enamored with her. Our mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2009 and she never flinched. She endured radiation, mastectomy, and chemotherapy with the heart of a true warrior. We have never met anyone with the resolve or courage to face pain and death as she did. Our mother is a hero and an example of true valor. She met every challenge with courage and faith. She carried the burden of her illness with her ever present grace, humor, and smile. Her memory will stay with us and guide us until we meet with her and our family again in the kingdom of our Lord.