Dora F. Sanchez

Dora Flores Sanchez, 85 of Puerto De Luna, NM, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Guadalupe County Hospital on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Dora was born in Vaughn, NM on September 3, 1934 to the home of Eliberto (Libby) Flores and Equiteria (Katy Espinoza) Flores.  Dora was raised in Puerto De Luna where she attended school and later graduated from Santa Rosa High School.  She and her late husband, Deacon Arsenio C. Sanchez, were married on November 26, 1951 at Nuestra Señora Del Refugio Catholic Church in Puerto De Luna.  Dora proudly served her family, Church and community her entire life.  She was an excellent seamstress, providing habits for the nuns of Saint Rose, she also made wedding dresses, cheerleading uniforms for the community and clothing for her twelve children.  She operated the family dry cleaning business with her husband Arsenio and served as a Deputy County Assessor and later as the Guadalupe County Assessor for several years.  Dora was also the Director of the Santa Rosa Senior Citizens Center.  In addition, Dora worked for the Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools for several years and counted this experience as one of her favorite jobs.  She was a Teacher’s Assistant, a cook for the Kindergarten School in Puerto De Luna and also was the Cafeteria Manager at Santa Rosa High School. Dora was a constant companion to her husband Arsenio, as a Deacon’s wife.  She was active in her faith as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, a member of the Sacred Heart Society and a member of the Catholic Daughters.  She also enjoyed working with Sister Ann Kaufman during Summer Bible Camps and readily helped with the Spaghetti Dinner fundraisers to help raise funds for the children’s catechism programs.  She was also always by Arsenio’s side during his tenure as a Magistrate Judge in Guadalupe County and still found time to read, enjoy gardening and quilting, however, her greatest joy came from the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren  and great-great grandchildren on the family farm in Puerto De Luna. Dora is preceded in death by her parents, husband Arsenio in 2014, daughters; Monica and Rita, son-in-law; Joe Silva and grandson; Jared Arsenio Sanchez and several of her siblings; Erminio Flores, Elvira Segura, Patricia Ortiz and Antonia Martinez, and an infant brother. Dora is survived by her children; Florence Silva of Santa Rosa, David (Hossie) Sanchez (Pat) of Los Chavez, Gloria K. Sanchez of Bosque Farms, Martha Sanchez (Buck) of Albuquerque, Michael Sanchez (Julie) of Albuquerque, Mary Clare Tafoya (Andy) of Colorado Springs, CO, Michelle Sanchez Harrison  (Dubs) of Los Chavez, Frank Sanchez of Corrales, Christine Delgado (Richard) of Sierra Vista, AZ and Santiago (Jimmy) Sanchez  (Jessica) of Santa Rosa.  She is also survived by 29 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters;  Ramona (Kevin) Pickles of Arizona, Dolores (Eddie) Campos of Cedar Crest, NM, Faby (Gilbert) Gomez of Santa Rosa, Julia-Teri Cordova of Rio Rancho, NM, Evelyn Marquez of Albuquerque, NM and Maryann (Bill) Ware of Wichita Falls, KS and brother; Danny (Mabel) Flores of Santa Rosa. Visitation will be Monday, January 13, 2020 from 1-6 PM at Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa.  Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, with Father Sotero Sena as celebrant.  Burial will follow at the A. C. Sanchez Family Cemetery in Puerto De Luna with Michael Velasquez, Frank Madrid, Rick Lucero, Cesar Pierce, Tudor Baca, and Michael Israel Velasquez serving as Pallbearers. Honorary bearers will include Davy Delgado, Patsy Campos Gerhardt, Erlinda and Filomeno Flores, Patsy Vigil, Alice Gallegos, Roger Salazar, Catholic Daughters, and all her for co-workers and many friends.  All services have been entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM  88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an on-line tribute please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.