Pelagia Sanchez Garcia

Pelagia Sanchez Garcia, 81. After a lengthy illness, Pelagia passed away peacefully Thursday, March 16, 2006 in Santa Rosa where she resided for most of her life. She spent her most difficult last weeks as she lived her entire life—with grace, strength, and dignity, but most importantly, enveloped in the love she gave to and received from everyone who knew her. She was born March 26, 1924 to Rodolfo and Marcelina Sanchez in Upper Anton Chico, New Mexico. She lived most of her childhood in Cañon Blanco. She met her beloved Nick T. Garcia in nearby Anton Chico, and following both families’ moves to Santa Rosa after World War II, they were married on Jan. 31, 1948 at St. Rose of Lima Church. Pelagia was preceded in death by her husband, Nick, her parents, and siblings Annie Sanchez Casaus (and husband Manuel), Seferina Sanchez, and Benny Sanchez (and wife Rosa). Her greatest gift was being a caring and devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, always taking care of the needs of those who will love her always. She has touched the lives of everyone who knew and loved her, most especially her five daughters and their husbands: Charlotte and Joe Garcia of Edgewood, Bernice and Gene Baca of Santa Fe, Cathy and Lee Vega of Santa Rosa, Diane and Robert Piro of Santa Fe, and Annette and Brendon Sehorn of Los Alamos. Her greatest blessing and theirs was being the grandmother and guiding spirit of her six grandchildren: Kristy and husband Eddy Blea, Elice and husband Andrew Chavez, Nic and Miguel Pantano, Stephan Vega, and Breanna Sehorn, and two great-grandchildren: Zachary and Aaron Blea, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, to whom Aunt Pelagia was also extremely special. Her memory also lives on with her surviving siblings who shared so much of her life : Anselmo (wife, Josie, dec.) Sanchez, Celia and Joe Pino, Agnes (husband, Albert, dec.) Sanchez, Terry and Tony Gallegos, and Mary and Dennis Weide. A Rosary will be recited at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Friday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m., and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rose Saturday, March 18, at 11:00 a.m., with interment following at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Beverly Maestas, Maxine Garcia, Rudy Sanchez, Mark Gallegos, Richard Sanchez, and Lawrence Sanchez. All arrangements are entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. 3rd Street, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, 505-472-3369. For online condolences go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com.