Isabel Sanchez

ISABEL SANCHEZ, 99, passed away February 25, 2023, at her home in Houston, Texas. Born in Havana, Cuba to doting parents who lovingly raised six children, Isabel was the last of her siblings in life. Isabel graduated from music conservatory with a degree in piano, and her keen interest in history led her to graduate studies at the University of Havana. In 1947, she married Mario J. Sanchez, then a medical student and the love of her life for the next 51 years until his death in 1999.

In 1959, Isabel’s life was suddenly disrupted when a Marxist dictatorship was violently imposed in her homeland. Forced into exile in the U.S. in 1961 with her husband and young son, Isabel quickly learned the skills required to thrive in her new country, while never forgetting the place of her birth. She eventually worked as business manager for her husband’s medical practice in Houston, while becoming an avid gardener, carefully nurturing azaleas, and a variety of exotic plants. Later in life, her favorite role was that of grandmother to grandson Mario, the apple of her eye.

Known to all for her elegance, Isabel always strived to look her best, asking for make-up, comb, and a proper outfit before her last ambulance ride. Optimistic in outlook, Isabel will be remembered for her cheerfulness, sense of humor, and razor sharp memory. Her treasure trove of colorful family stories made her a magnet for relatives eager to inquire about their ancestry and to hear anecdotes of past life in her homeland. Isabel’s love of family knew no bounds, including her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins. Welcoming everyone to her home with a smile, “Tisabel,” as she was known by many, enjoyed hosting out-of-town family, especially during her cherished holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Isabel was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Isabel Fojo, her siblings, Antonio, Alicia, Julia, Regina and Jesus, and her husband Mario. She is survived by her son, Mario L., daughter-in-law, Joanne, and grandson, Mario J., and his wife, Samantha; nieces and nephews Carmencita, Carmen, Gloria, Miguel, Maria Teresa, Cristina, Enrique, Alicia, Antonio, Jose, Olga and Carlos, as well as her cousins Mirta, Silvia and Lourdes.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 1801 Sage Road with a reception following immediately in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Children’s Cancer Network, 6150 W. Chandler Blvd. #1, Chandler, AZ 85226.

The family expresses special appreciation to the caring physicians at the Division of Geriatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, to her attentive, long-term doctors, Enrique B. Granda and Paul M. Scott, as well as to the devoted caregivers of Compassionate Homecare Services,and the diligent staff at St. Clare Home Care, Inc. The family is grateful to Norma Gomez for her 38 years of dedicated service and friendship.