Rosa Maria Sanchez Torres Mejias Boneta passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday February 21, 2024. Rosa was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico to Maria Mejiia Sotomayor and Guillermo Torres Boneta on May 12th, 1924. She was the 2nd youngest of 10 brothers and sisters.
Rosa studied diligently throughout school and upon graduating from high school, she moved to New York City. There she worked in various positions from sewing to retail but found her passion in healthcare as a nurse assistant at the Norwegian Hospital in Brooklyn were she earned many accolades from the nurses and doctors. It was also in NYC where she met her future husband Jose. D. Sanchez who was serving at Fort Hamilton. She took on the demanding role of a military wife for 21 years. At first taking care of her 3 daughters as she managed home, work and childcare, awaiting his return from Korea. Then packing and moving with his other tours to Fort Benning VA, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Germany and Fort Dix, New Jersey. Upon his retirement Rosa and her husband moved to El Paso where he had family. There she continued her education, earning an Associates in Applied Science, while she also attended to her husband’s failing health.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jose and grandson Derek Schultz.
Rosa is survived by her 3 daughters: Rosalie Sanchez Schultz (Tom Schultz), Josephine Sanchez (Don Succardi) and Susie Sanchez Martin, 4 grandchildren: Ariel Whitlock, Lety Evans, Lydia Moreno and Dominick Succardi: 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Rosa was a devoted Roman Catholic who supported many Catholic Charities as well as the DAV, Wounded Warrior Project, the ASPCA and the local El Paso Fire & Police Departments.
Visitation for Rosa will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a funeral service at 11:30 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, Texas 79903, followed by a committal service to Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave., El Paso, Texas 79906.
