Shirley LaRue Sanchez

Shirley grew up in Hesperus Colorado and graduated from Durango High School in 1962. After graduation, Shirley attended and graduated from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado.

In November 1967, Shirley married the love of her life and husband of 57 years, Donald Sanchez Sr. Shirley and Don set up residence and raised their family in Grand Junction, Gunnison, Salida, La Veta and Walsenburg Colorado. Throughout her life, Shirley worked as a bookkeeper and bank teller before earning her nursing degree from Trinidad State College in 1996. As a registered nurse, Shirley worked for the VA home at Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center and Huerfano County Correctional Center in Walsenburg Colorado until her retirement.

Following her retirement in 2013, Shirley and Don relocated to Pueblo Colorado. Shirley was a lifelong fan of the Denver Broncos and CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves sports, both of which occupied much of her time while living in Pueblo.

Shirley loved to knit and crochet, loved animals, and could almost always be found with either a book or her kindle in her hand. Shirley was a devout Christian and was a member of the United Methodist Church in La Veta and Wesley United Methodist Church in Pueblo.

Shirley had a heart of gold, a soft touch and a smile that will never be forgotten.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 57 years, Donald, her sons, Donald Jr. (Angela), Darren (Antoinette Heble) and Brad Sanchez, grandson Robbie Sanchez, along with siblings Sandra Randolph, Lawrence (Karen) Fisher, Hazel Klootwyk and Donald (Lu) Fisher, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Edith Fisher, in-laws, Salvador and Fern Sanchez, infant son, Andrew and siblings Dave Fisher, Eula Butler, Pattie Cordell, Olela Jones, Eddie Fisher, John Henry Fisher, Yvonne Utzat, Marty Fisher and Mama Jones.