November 28, 1927-November 20, 2020
Socorro(Charmaine)Sanchez, 92, born on November 28, 1927, in Bakersfield, CA, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by family on November 20, 2020. Charmaine was among 12 siblings. Charmaine grew up in Bakersfield where she attended school. On March 17, 1945, she married the love of her life, Jim P. Sanchez, and they remained married for 73 years before his passing in 2018. They went on to have 3 daughters and one son. They fostered and opened up their home to many children in need.
Charmaine's greatest joy was caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to cook and placed 1st in the First Annual Chili Verde Cook-off and placed 3rd in The Menudo Cook-off. She was famous for her homemade tortillas, enchiladas and tamales. She had an impeccable fashion sense and she loved traveling with her husband Jim to Vegas. They also loved camping and fishing with family.
Her greatest accomplishment was her lifetime dedication to her husband and family. She will be remembered for her quick wit, keen fashion sense, her fabulous cooking, and devotion to her family. She was a true Matriarch, a woman of strength, dignity, integrity and deep love for her faith. She will be missed by so many.
Charmaine is survived by her daughter, Hope Serrano and son-in-law Cisco Serrano, daughter Sally Ledesma, daughter Maddy Villanueva and son-in-law Cep Villanueva, son Rodney Gardea and fiance Jacob Bryant, foster son Rudy Magana and his wife Janie Magana, sisters Esther Hiquera and Margaret Torres, and brother Tim Gardea, Grandchildren David Hernandez, Sonja Lazzara, James Ledesma, David Godinez, Kathy Godinez, Marky Gardea, Freddy Gonzalez, Niko Gonzalez, and Julia Gonzalez, eleven great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and countless foster children.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, her daughter Charmaine Gonzalez, and grandson Julio Gonzalez.
A very special thank you to Hoffman Hospice, Rodney Gardea and Jacob Bryant for their loving care which they provided at this very difficult time.
Graveside services will be held at Union Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:00am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Sanchez family.
