Janie R. Sanchez

She is clothed in strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her. “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates. - Proverbs 31: 25-31

Janie Regina Sanchez passed away on October 20, 2025 while bravely battling cancer. She was born on September 7, 1938 in Waco, TX and raised in Dallas, TX by her loving parents, Ruby and Manuel Almanza, alongside her siblings Geneva, Robert, Mary Ann, Gloria, and Richard. From them she learned to know, love, and serve God. Her strong faith guided her every step throughout all her days and she was faithful to our Lord even as she drew her last breath.

She is survived by her children; Joel David Sanchez and wife Josie, Gloria Elisa Sanchez, and Mari Denise Grazulis and husband Robert. She had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Jesus Sanchez, her first born son, Jesus Orlando Sanchez, her parents, Ruby and Manuel Almanza, her sister, Geneva Gutierrez, and her brother, Robert Almanza.

Janie was a woman whose Catholic faith was as bright as her spirit. She was a woman of unwavering belief, whose love for the Lord and his Blessed Mother shone through every aspect of her life. She found strength and happiness in prayer, and peace in the promise of heaven. She shared a beautiful and extraordinary long marriage with her husband—68 years of love, laughter, and tears together! Her greatest joys and accomplishments were her marriage and the gift of being a mom to her four children. She will be remembered most for how she phenomenally loved and nurtured her family. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, compassion, kindness, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen by all who knew her. She raised her children in the ways of the Lord, teaching them to love, honor, and trust in Him in their lives too. There was never any doubt felt by her family that she worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, prayed for them, forgave them, and always loved them.

Janie had a big personality in a small package. She did not know how to sit still which earned her the family nickname of “The Energizer Bunny” because she was always moving and keeping busy. Even in her eighties she could mow the entire front yard and enjoyed pulling weeds in the back. She called it her fun and exercise. When she did relax, she enjoyed playing games on her IPad, listening to Tejano music, and watching her telenovelas and game shows in her favorite green chair. Mornings were special to her, choosing then to pray her devotionals, read her newspaper, and enjoy her first cup of coffee. She filled her home with warmth, laughter, kindness, joy, and abundant amounts of Blue Bell Ice Cream. She was undoubtedly the heartbeat and glue that held the family together. She had a knack for saying the right thing to bring about a smile and an even greater wisdom for knowing when a twinkle in her eye would say it all. She was known for singing the song, “Jesus Loves Me,” sometimes for fun like when she was winning at card games, scratching a lotto card, or even just having a good day. In her last days, she boldly and prayerfully sang “Amazing Grace” with her chaplain as cancer painfully ravaged her body. She clung to her faith even in her darkest hours. Throughout her journey, she taught those around her what it looked like to live peacefully and bravely while accepting God’s will, always with joy in her heart and a smile on her beautiful face. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

Janie will be desperately missed but she will forever be a bright, guiding light to her family and loved ones. Her memory will continue to live on and inspire strength, resilience, and faith in all whose lives she touched. There is a great sadness at the loss of her, but comfort in knowing she now rests in the arms of our savior, Jesus Christ, free from pain and rejoicing in His presence.

Well done, good and faithful servant. - Matthew 25:23

A Visitation/Viewing of Janie will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025 between 4:00-7:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home 625 Kitty Hawk Road Universal City, TX, 78148.

Her Graveside Service will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 9:30am in Shelter #3 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio, TX 78209.

Janie’s favorite charity was the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She had a special place in her heart for children who suffered from the pains of cancer as she did. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made there in her name to help families with children battling cancer. Their website is www.stjude.org, and their mailing address to send memorial donations is P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.