Cecilia Sanchez, age 72, closed her eyes to this world and opened them in heaven with her Lord and a multitude of angels to greet her on June 9, 2015. Cecilia was born on October 28, 1942 on her grandparents’ ranch in Trinchera, NM, to her parents Pete Muniz and Reyes Aragon-Muniz, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her infant daughter, Sarah Louise Sanchez, brothers Joe Muniz, and Pete Muniz. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Richard “Dickie” Sanchez of the family home, daughters Debbie Sandoval and husband Leroy, and Diana Sanchez of Raton; grandchildren Nathaniel Sandoval and companion Danielle Martinez, Sandy Sandoval, Leroy Sandoval and wife Roni, and Jacob Sanchez all of Raton, ten great-grandchildren; Mykaela, Gabriel, Torrance, Nathan, Liam, Dimetrious, Xavier, Alayah, Leroy, and Kaylee Sandoval and one great-great granddaughter Rikki, sister Pauline Trujillo and husband Manuel of Antelope, CA, sister Elsie Muniz of Raton, brother John Muniz and wife Rose McKenna of Rio Rancho, NM, sisters Flora Decker of Pueblo, CO and Rosella Muniz of Wagon Mound, NM, brothers Pat Muniz of Louisville, KY, Andy Muniz, Tony Muniz and Mitchell Muniz of Raton, sister-in-law Lorenza Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM, and numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends also survive.
Cecilia worked as a waitress at the Sweet Shop restaurant since she was a teenager when the Sweet Shop was in downtown Raton, and continued working there after it moved to South Raton for more than 25 years. She also worked at ARF during the Vietnam War. She lived a life of serving others, and her greatest joy was serving her Lord. She was a member of the St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Altar Society for 40+ years, she served on the funeral ministry, worked the Parish Fiesta’s, and cooked and baked for numerous church functions. Everyone knew they were going to get great food if Cecilia was doing the cooking or baking. She was a great woman of faith and in her quiet behind-the-scenes way of serving her Lord and the church, she was a great inspiration to her family and all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, but there is comfort in knowing she is rejoicing in heaven.
We the family would like express our gratitude to nurse Robin Pilley who cared for our mother with such compassion and love, Fr. Daniel Balizan for his continuous prayers, visits, phone calls (including FaceTime calls), for loving our mom as family, and for reciting the Rosary and Celebrating the Mass, Tommy Baca for his visits, calls, prayers and for doing the music for the Rosary and Mass, Fr. John Trambley for his prayers, bringing Communion every Sunday and con-celebrating the Mass, Deacon Tom for his continuous prayers and for bringing Communion to her, as well and the many family and friends who visited her, prayed for her, called her, brought food, sent cards, and kept her and the family in their thoughts and prayers.
Rosary will be Friday, June 12, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raton recited by Fr. Daniel Balizan and Tommy Baca. Mass of the Resurrection will be on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raton with Celebrant Fr. Daniel Balizan and con-celebrant Fr. John Trambley. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery following the Mass. Pall Bearers are Leroy Sandoval, Mitchell Muniz, Michael Sanchez, Steven Decker, Sean Green and Sandy Lucero.
Funeral arrangements for Cecilia Sanchez are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
