Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Celida C. (Sally) Sanchez, 89, went home to the Lord on December 25, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on January 19, 1929 to Gregorio and Feliz Atencio Duran in Tres Piedras, New Mexico. She is preceded in death by her parents, nine of her siblings, and her loving husband, Hepolito F. Sanchez.
Sally was raised on the family farm in Antonito, Colorado with her eleven brothers and sisters. They raised cattle, crops and horses and enjoyed a simple country life. There was always love with the Duran siblings around.
During her life as a dedicated military wife, she raised her children and lived in many places in the US and abroad before retiring in San Antonio with her husband in 1975. She and Grandpa were instrumental in the raising of several of their grandchildren, as well.
After she became a widow, she stayed active by volunteering at the Family Services department at Lackland AFB and joining many organizations. She is a lifetime member of the VFW, Post 9174. She also was a member of the Catholic War Veterans and the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Council 5262.
Her later years were spent enjoying watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and thrive.
She is survived by her sisters: Emily Mathis and Lola Tursi (Angelo); her three loving children: Sandra Anderson, Alfred Andrew Salazar (Patricia), and Melissa Sanchez Garza (Christopher); her loving grandchildren: Kellie Miller (Vance), Stephanie Whritenour, Shana Baker (Mark), Andrea Trevino (Raymond), Paula Salazar, Paul Salazar (Kristin), Andi Salazar, Andrew Salazar, Angela Apodaca (Dustin), Brianna Garza, Christiana Garza, and Angelo Salazar; and her loving great-grandchildren: Catherine Klimko, Kevin Whritenour, Ethan Garcia, Noah Ponce, Joslin Whritenour, Bryan Ponce, Madeline Vasquez, Josie Salazar, Elliot Apodaca and Baby C, due in July; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be missed dearly by her family and relatives.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm with a rosary recited at 7:00pm at Castle Ridge Mortuary – 8008 W. Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78227. Funeral Services will begin on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 with a mass at 10:00am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church – 4222 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227 followed by interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:30am.
The family would like to thank Esther Reyes and the Nurses and CNA (Maria) at Trinity Hospice for the kind and loving care they provided our sweet Mom and Grandma.