Cleo Sanchez
(God’s Prettiest flower)
April 9, 1915 ~ October 14, 2011
Cleo was born in Chamita, N.M., on Apr. 9, 1915 to Jose Gregorio and Santana (Patron) Salazar. There she grew to adulthood and married Philip Sanchez. She and Philip came to Montrose as a young couple with the first of their ten children in 1937. Cleo was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and a homemaker. She was active and supportive in her children’s lives. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker. Her needlecraft, gardens and canning were well known among her peers. Flowers were her passion. Cleo had a kind heart towards the less fortunate and always shared her crops and canned goods with anyone who came to the home. Education of her children was a priority and she instilled the work ethic in each one. Cleo was a devout catholic and strove always to live her life in a way that reflected her never ending belief in her God and his goodness. Her faith never faltered and it always sustained her. She was a genuine lady!
Cleo is survived by ten children; Angie Garcia, Josie Hughes, Ann (Phil) Espinoza, John L. (Ruth) Sanchez, Phillip Sanchez, Lita (Greg) Catt, Bill (Pricilla) Sanchez, Ron (Karin) Sanchez, Theresa (Marvin) Yates, Pat (Deb Allred) Sanchez. She grandmother to 29 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and two on the way, as well as 15 great-great-grandchildren and many son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws and nieces and nephews to the fifth generation. She loved and was beloved by each and every one of them and will be missed greatly. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Philip, a baby son who died at birth, Johnny, her son-in-law, Jack Hughes, grandsons, Adam Catt and Wade Voshel, a great-grandson Angel Gabriel Sanchez, her sisters, Anna and Perfecta, and her brother, Willie, and two great-great-granddaughters, Sarabeth Steele and Jada Marie Espinoza. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A vigil followed by a Rosary will begin at 7:00pm at the Chapel. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at Cedar Cemetery, East of Montrose. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, in memory of Cleo Sanchez, 1855 St. Mary Drive, Montrose, Co. 81401. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
