Raquel Godina Sanchez

Raquel Godina Correa was born into the humblest of beginnings in Florencia, Zacatecas, Mexico on May 07, 1942. She was the first child of Pedro and Josefa Godina and the eldest sibling of eleven brothers and sisters.

From a very early age, her faith, generosity and love of family was evident and guided her every step. Without formal education, she developed employable skills and worked hard to assist her mother with providing for the family. Raquel would hand over most of what little earnings she made to support the family’s transition to Guadalajara and contribute to household expenses. One brother remembers asking his older sister Raquel to buy him his first pair of shoes, which she happily did.

In 1968, Raquel married Esteban “Steven” Sanchez from San Jose, California, who had recently completed his tour of duty in the US Army. After the wedding, the couple came to the US and started their new life together. Steven’s parents’s Amado and Apolonia and their eleven children welcomed Raquel into the family as one of their own.

Together, Raquel and Esteban raised six children and the family became an integral part of the Most Holy Trinity parish community. Raquel and Esteban became founding members of the Los Amigos fellowship group whose charitable works reached far beyond the church itself. Many remember the Sunday morning “Convivencia” featuring menudo prepared at the Sanchez household, and the popular spiritual movement called “Cursillo” with the trademark song “De Colores” which was often sung at the Sanchez household.

Raquel was a devout Roman Catholic, daughter, sister, wife and mother, who often relied on her faith and courage to navigate the world around her. To support her family, she worked the night shift at a local cannery, cleaned homes, learned to drive, learned English and became a US citizen. As a volunteer, her homemade school lunches were very popular and she often made costumes for Halloween and Las Posadas.

Throughout the many years that Raquel worked professionally, she never forgot about her role as a daughter. Her siblings marveled at her endless dedication and enthusiasm for making the journey back to Mexico to visit their beloved mother at least once a year, even at her own advanced age, sometimes traveling by herself.

Raquel retired professionally from Catholic Charities where she worked as a cook at the Alum Rock Senior Center for over 20 years. Raquel was always using her time and talents to serve God and the community she lived in. Throughout her life, she wore many hats including advocate for immigrant rights and affordable housing, Al Anon member, and prayer group leader. Nothing gave Raquel more joy than showering her “children” of all ages with loving gifts and food made by her own hands.

Raquel was and is loved by so many. It is difficult to count how many positive influences Raquel has had on those she encountered.

Raquel died peacefully in prayer on November 23 surrounded by her six children, eleven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren who all love her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband Esteban , her mother Josefa, her father Pedro, brothers Arnulfo and Armando, sister-in-law Margaret Lomas. She is survived by her immediate family: Esteban (Natalie) Sanchez, Jr., Maria Guadalupe Sanchez, Antonio (Stacy) Sanchez, Yoli (Sonny) Cruz, Roberto (Deserie)Sanchez, Becky (Joseph) Ojeda, Marissa Sanchez, Roberto (Tanya) Sanchez, Jr., Matthew (Janet) Sanchez, Gabriel (Meg) Sanchez, Joseph (Mikaela) Ojeda, III, Ariana Ojeda, Mark Sanchez, Isabela Cruz, Benicio Cruz, James Sanchez, Santino Cruz, Loren Beck, Aliyah Beck, and Noah Sanchez. Godina Siblings: Emma, Kary, Pedro, Irma, Gaudencio, Reginaldo, Ignacio, Noemi. Sanchez Siblings: Hector, Aurelia, Maria De Jesus, Rosa, Amado, Virginia, Leticia, Esperanza, Manuel, Eduardo and a large number of nephews and nieces near and far.