Flora Chavez Sanchez

Flora C. Sanchez died Friday night, May 9, 2014 at The Peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona at the age of 100. She was born on Thursday, April 9, 1914 in Los Lentes, Valencia County, New Mexico to her parents, the late Elias and Ignacita (Mireles) Chavez. She met and married her life's love, Pete Sanchez and moved to Winslow, Arizona in 1945, and in 1951 they moved to Holbrook. In February of 1974, Flora's life forever changed when her husband, Pete, died. She began a new chapter in her life and began working as a Truant Officer at all of Holbrook's schools and, through the years she made lifelong friends with many of the students from the schools. Many of those students continued to visit and call on her until most recently, when she moved to Flagstaff a year and a half ago. She was truly loved and respected by so many! She had the opportunity to help shape the lives of her young friends for 11 years and, when she retired, she was missed a great deal. Flora was also a devout and faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook. She looked forward to attending Mass to nourish her faith and reconnect with her church family. Flora was an inspiration to many who grew to rely on her strength and positive attitude during their own personal trials of life. She truly made a difference. Flora has a large family and is survived by her 6 children: Reina Sanchez of Holbrook & Prescott Valley, Arizona, Mariano Sanchez of Oregon, Agnes (Arthur) Franzen of Goodyear, Arizona, Pete (Christine) Sanchez, Jr. of Mesa, Arizona, James (Patricia) Sanchez of Tucson, Arizona, Jerry (Christine Castillo) Sanchez of Flagstaff, Arizona; 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband, Flora was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda (Sanchez) Vasquez, an infant son, Ernest Sanchez, an infant daughter, Mary Lou Sanchez, and twin daughters, Dolores and Dorothy Sanchez. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin 9:30 A.M., Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 212 E. Arizona Street in Holbrook. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10:00 A.M. and finally, the committal service and interment will conclude at the Holbrook Cemetery.