Rosaura grew up in Colton, California, and was the oldest of six siblings, four sisters and one brother. She graduated from Colton High School in 1963. She then worked as a bank teller at The Orange Belt Savings and Loan until she met Anacleto (Cliff) Sanchez at a New Year’s Eve dance in 1967. Cliff was in the U.S. Navy at that time and was home on leave. They fell in love and were married within a year.
Their first child, Virginia (Gina) L. Sanchez, was born in 1969. Rosaura had stayed in Colton until five weeks after Gina was born, when they both embarked on the 13-hour flight to Sasebo, Japan, to be with Cliff. This was a brave move for a new mother who had never been out of California. When Cliff’s enlistment ended, they moved back to Colton and later settled in Rialto where they had two more children, Patricia Ann Sanchez (1971), who passed away days after birth, and Clifford John Sanchez (1973).
Rosaura was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who at the age of 35 went back to school to become an elementary school teacher, all while taking care of a household, a husband, and two children. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, reading, and most of all running. She earned her bachelor's degree and later went on to earn a
master’s degree. She was one of the most thoughtful, caring, and hardworking teachers in the Rialto Unified School District. She always went above and beyond, and it was not uncommon for former students to return and thank her for the impact she had on their lives.
While working full time and then after retiring, Rosie, along with her siblings, took turns taking care of their ailing parents. She was there almost daily to love, cook, and care for them until the time of their passing.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, their two children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild, as well as her three sisters, Juanita, Virginia, Christina, her brother, John, and many extended family members and friends. She will truly be missed. There was no one sweeter.
You can view the mass at https://youtu.be/MFszbqKQScE
