Dolores "Lolita" Fernandez Sanchez

Lolita immigrated to the United States in 1961, having been exiled with her parents and sisters Angela, and Cristina, to avoid the Communist regime. Settling in the King William area of San Antonio, TX, she met the love of her life Carlos Elizondo Sanchez. Together, she and Carlos had two children, Cristina Sanchez Hodde and Carlos Rafael Sanchez.

Truly, the joy of Lolita’s life was her family and her friends. She found so much happiness when surrounded by the people that she loved most. She always sought opportunities to be present and love on those around her. She took every opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The striving she had to be present in her family created long-standing and special bonds with each of her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren.

Lolita was a devout Catholic, spending much of her time in retirement reflecting on the daily lectionary, reading the lives of the saints, praying the rosary, and watching EWTN.

Adept with numbers, Lolita found a career in medical billing where she made many lasting friendships that she continued to nurture long after her retirement.

Lolita loved music and loved to both sing and dance. A good Latin rhythm would always cause Lolita to move her feet.

She enjoyed her daily phone calls with her best friends and loved to have discussions about what was going on in their lives and in the telenovelas they frequently watched.

She remembered fondly her time as a little girl growing up in Cuba with her sisters and her closest cousin, Ernesto “Tico” Silva, who she loved as a brother. She was an island girl to her core. She had the ocean and the sunshine running through her veins. Any opportunity she had to go to the beach she would take. Some of her fondest memories were taking her grandchildren annually to Mustang Island with her husband and cruising in the Caribbean with her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Carlos, parents, Angela and Rafael, and sister, Angela Fernandez. Lolita’s legacy is carried on by her daughter and son-in-law, Cristina Hodde (William); her son and daughter-in-law, Carlos Sanchez (Alice), sister and brother-in-law, Cristina Beato (Jorge), granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Katarina Oliva (Ryan); granddaughter, Jacquelyn Hodde (fiancé Roger Fuentes); grandson William Hodde, Jr.; and great-grandsons, John Paul Oliva and Luca Oliva, and first cousin Ernesto Silva and wife Patti Silva, and numerous nieces and nephews.

As we say goodbye to Lolita, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, love, and a spirit that will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched. Her wish was to not be forgotten, and indeed, her memory will live on, and her stories retold for generations to come. Lolita’s journey through life was filled with plenty of joy, challenges, and triumphs, and she faced each with the same strength, humor, and grace that defined her.

We honor the memory of Lolita Fernandez Sanchez, a woman whose free-spirited nature and selfless heart lead her to live a well-lived life and left a legacy of love, family, and adventure. Her spirit will continue to inspire and guide us, and her memory will be cherished forever in our hearts. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love will continue to live on.

ROSARY

Thursday, January 30, 2025

7:00 PM

(Visitation preceding at 6:00 PM)

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

2102 N. LOOP 1604 E., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232

MASS

Friday, January 31, 2025

10:00 AM

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

20523 HUEBNER ROAD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78258

Burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Reception to follow Burial at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Banquet Hall.