Erlinda Sanchez

Erlinda Marie Torres Sanchez, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, tía, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025 at the age of 100.

Erlinda was born in Jerome, Arizona, on November 26, 1924, and raised in Ohkay Owingeh. Despite the hardships brought on by the Great Depression, Erlinda spoke fondly of her time in Ohkay Owingeh, telling her family stories about the home she was raised in, her many pets, and time spent with her relatives. Erlinda attended both the Santa Fe Indian School and St. Catherine’s Indian School. She left school in the eighth grade in order to work to supplement her family’s income.

Erlinda married Santiago Sanchez and they welcomed a son, Jimmy, into the world. The family spent time in Las Cruces, NM; Los Angeles, CA; and La Mesilla, NM, where they finally made their home. While in Los Angeles, Erlinda worked for Hughes Helicopters, manufacturing helicopter blades, and also as a highly-praised seamstress and dry cleaner, caring for suits belonging to Dean Martin and Jackie Gleason.

It was in La Mesilla where she and Santiago continued raising Jimmy and taking care of her mother, Ramoncita, and where Erlinda would later become a formative, steadfast presence in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After the passing of her beloved Santiago, Erlinda pressed pause on her retirement from Corbett’s Dry Cleaners in Los Alamos, NM to help raise Monique and Wayne while Jimmy worked. Erlinda was a surrogate mother for the two, driving them to cheerleading and basketball practice; sewing the most well-crafted traditional outfits and school costumes; cooking meals; cleaning; and healing wounds, both physical and emotional. Erlinda was strict, but showed Monique and Wayne a softness and affection that only a grandmother can.

When Wayne and Jessica’s first child, Joshua, was born, Erlinda did not hesitate to say yes when asked if she could help care for him while the couple established their careers. Joshua, or “El Malcriado” as she affectionately called him, became her partner in mischief, and the two shared many inside jokes and a special bond that lasted right up to Erlinda’s passing. Joshua returned the favor of care, watching over, helping to feed, and praying with “Grandma Sanch” during her final days on this earth.

Wayne and Jessica’s two girls, Elise and Lylah, were Erlinda’s “Little Dolls,” so named for their beauty and perfectly put together outfits. Erlinda held each girl the day they were born, sang them nursery rhymes and lullabies in English and Spanish, and rightfully spoiled them. Elise, too, served as “nurse” for Grandma Sanch when she became ill, sleeping next to her in order to provide Erlinda with comfort.

Erlinda’s love for her family was unconditional and her faith unwavering. She was an ardent devotee of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Her love of all things sweet, especially candy and cookies, was something her family loved to tease her about and always gave into.

Erlinda was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ramoncita and Rosendo Torres; husband, Santiago Sanchez; and many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. She is survived by her son, Jimmy Sanchez; granddaughter, Monique Sanchez and husband, David; grandson (Jimmy) Wayne Sanchez and wife, Jessica; and her three great-grandchildren, Joshua, Elise, and Lylah.

Erlinda’s family would like to thank the emergency room and hospital staff and Cheryl Marita, Palliative Care Nurse, at Presbyterian Espanola Hospital; Roadrunner Hospice, especially nurses Gabby and Melissa; Father Nathan Lopez; Deacon Dennis Montoya; and the team at DeVargas Funeral Home for their compassionate and professional services.

A public viewing will be held at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM,  on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 5:00 pm followed by the praying of the Catholic rosary at 6:00 pm. Erlinda’s funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 10:30 am at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh. Her burial will follow at 2:00 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Pallbearers are David Howard, Joshua Sanchez, Michael Purdy, Mike Purdy, Nate Montalvo, and Ben Etuk. Honorary pallbearers are Elise Sanchez and Lylah Sanchez.

The family of Erlinda Sanchez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley 505-747-7477.