Concepcion A. Sanchez

Concepción “Concha” Sanchez

September 25, 1932- November 12, 2023

An angel on earth, Concepción Sanchez, 91, was called home to her heavenly Father early on November 12, the day of our Lord. She passed peacefully at her home, as was her wish, surrounded by loved ones. On her last days she was praying to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, en Vos confío.

Concha or Conchita, as she was affectionately known, was born in Laredo to Ofelia and Manuel Aguilar. She was the eldest of 8 children, attended Laredo schools, and was a proud graduate of Martin High School, Class of 1950, where she played the flute in the Mighty Tiger Band. The caption with her Senior year photo reads: Band, Future Homemakers, friendly, has good posture, and a nice smile. “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger,” she was proud to say.

An incredibly caring and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, she always had a kind word and gentle smile for everyone she’d meet. Always happily humming or singing, she radiated positivity and joy, not to mention love. So, it’s no surprise that being a mother was second nature to her, and many considered her their second mother- from her siblings to her nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Conchita met the love of her life, Cayetano, at a wedding to which she wasn’t formally invited. At the time, she was working in Chicago as a secretary while living with her Tia Tita. She came to Laredo for the Saturday morning wedding of her dearest friend Angelina Chapa Uribe† to Victor Uribe†. That evening was another wedding that her cousin Rosa pushed her to attend with her. It was at that wedding reception where she met her handsome beloved, Cayetano. They danced together all night, for he would not let any other man have a dance with her. At the end of the night, he invited her to mass and breakfast the following day, at which time he met her mother.  Long story short, they had a whirlwind romance and married after just a few months, on December 18, 1955. They were blessed to have shared more than 58 loving years together.

Along with her husband, Conchita was a founding member of San Luis Rey Catholic Church. She was devout in her faith and loved serving her church and its community. She practiced God’s word daily, teaching her children and grandchildren many lessons in kindness, caring for the sick, helping the less fortunate, forgiveness, and love- while always emphasizing the “Golden Rule.” Through the years, Conchita was active in her church and at San Agustin Cathedral, serving on many different committees. She was also a lector, Eucharistic minister, delivered the Eucharist to the homebound sick and elderly, volunteered during bingo and raffles, helped with breakfast sales at the parish hall, and the Saturday morning rosary, among other things. In addition, she was a member of many different organizations, including the Guadalupanas of San Luis Rey, Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Mary Magdalene No. 1989, and the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary. She also lived one of the first women’s Cursillo’s in Laredo.

Conchita was also a proud and patriotic military wife. Whether holding down the fort at home in Laredo, or while stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Lewis, Washington State, Fort Hood, Texas, or abroad in Germany, she always made the best of it for her young family. For years she and Cayetano would participate in many events honoring veterans, a cause they both held dear to their hearts.

As a career woman, Conchita worked at Mercy Hospital for 25 years as a transcriptionist for Medical Records. Before that she worked at Hachar’s, in the Women’s department, and briefly as a secretary in Chicago before Cayetano proposed and had her come back home to Laredo.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Cayetano Sanchez Jr., her parents, her baby brother Daniel Saavedra, her sisters Ofelia “Peyita” Pacheco and Maria Aracelia Aguilar; her father and mother-in-law, Cayetano Sanchez Sr. and Carmen Gonzalez Sanchez, brothers-in-law, Ricardo Sr. (Juanita), Enrique, Fernando, and baby Fernando Sanchez; daughter-in-law: Rose C. Sanchez.

Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are her 5 beloved children, Vivian (Victor) Garcia, Cayetano “Guy” (Joan) Sanchez III, Daniel (Rose†) Sanchez, Rodolfo (Gloria) Sanchez, and Veronica Sanchez.

She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, who she adored, Laura (CY Benavides III) Garcia and Linda (Adrian Rodriguez-Riccelli) Garcia; Cynthia (David Doak) Castillo and Catherine Castillo; Christina, Cassandra (David Barrientos), Daniel Jr., Eric, and Clarissa Sanchez; Lydia and Cayetano IV “Little Guy” Sanchez; Camelia, Diana, Eva, Marina, and Paloma Sanchez; 2 great-grandchildren Sapphire Nicolette Barrientos and Daisy Clementina Doak; and her “adopted” grandson Gael Castillo.

Also left to cherish her memory are those who thought of her as a second mother, her sisters (Peyita and Aracelias) children, Laura and Ofelia, Frankie and Armando; brother-in-law, Ricardo's children, Ricardo Jr. (Maria), Rosaura (Oscar†), Reynaldo (Emma), Roberto (Brenda), Rosario (Tony), Raquel (David), and Rosalina (Antonio†).

She is further survived by her brothers Manuel (Andrea), Hector (Oralia), Carlos (Blanca), Alberto (Cruz), and Rodolfo (Elisa) Aguilar; her sister-in-law, Maria de los Angeles Sanchez; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and extended family members and friends.

Like the Northern Star, our mother/grandmother was a guiding bright light, and the world is now a little darker without her in it. But we are comforted in knowing that she has been reunited with her dear Cayetano, whom she so missed, as well as her parents and other dearly departed loved ones, including her faithful canine companion Lady, who provided her much love and comfort after Cayetano’s passing.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her loving caregiver, Katty S.; to St. Jude Specialty Home & Health Care Services and all their wonderful staff, especially Billy, Rick, Eva, Claudia, and Reggie; to Dr. Dennis Cantu and his staff; and to all those who have kept Conchita close in their thoughts and prayers.

Pallbearers will be Cayetano III, Daniel Sr., and Rodolfo Sanchez, Victor Garcia, Gerardo Castillo, Daniel Jr., Eric, and Cayetano Sanchez IV.

Honorary Pallbearers are Manuel, Hector, Carlos, Alberto, and Rodolfo Aguilar; Ricardo Jr., Reynaldo, and Roberto Sanchez, David Martinez, Carlos Y. Benavides III, David Doak, and Adrian Rodriguez-Riccelli.

The family will gather on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 8 am to 1 pm at Hillside Funerals & Cremations, with a Rosary being offered at 11 am by the Guadalupanas of San Luis Rey Catholic Church.

Funeral procession will depart at 8:30 am, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9 am, with Interment following at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.