Judith "Judy" R. Sanchez

Judy Sanchez of Sugar Land, Texas passed away after a courageous fight with brain cancer on May 6, 2015. She was surrounded by family and friends who lifted her up with love and prayer at the time of her passing. Judy was preceded in death by her mother Judith Rodriguez.

Judy is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 45 years, Arturo Sanchez, Jr.; her children, their spouses and grandchildren; Maricella and Michael Metzler, Marco and Daniela Sanchez, Gabriela and Isabela; Arturo and Jayme Sanchez III, Arturo IV and Danielle; her father Jose Rodriguez; and her brothers Ricardo, Joe and Robert Rodriguez.

Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Judy was a kind, giving and loving daughter, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. Judy and Arturo married and made Houston home – determined to make a difference, pursue a college degree, and provide the best opportunity for their family. She completed her bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in counseling from the University of Houston Clear Lake. A lifelong educator,

Judy touched the lives of countless students, educators, and families.

Judy started as a bilingual teacher at Lamar Elementary in Houston ISD. She joined Fort Bend ISD where she worked for 29 years as an educator, diagnostician, and finally as an elementary counselor at Settler’s Way. Her retirement lasted an entire summer before she started at Alief ISD where she worked 10 years behind-the-scenes to support staff, counselors and assisted Spanish-speaking families.

Parishioners at St. Albert’s for more than 30 years, Judy was a Eucharistic minister, served on church committees and was a volunteer English instructor. Judy’s life-long friends represented St. Agustin Church and Ursuline High School in Laredo, Texas, the Glenshire neighborhood, Amigos Unidos a social circle of Hispanics in Houston, St. Albert Catholic Church, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Settlers Way Elementary, Mahanay Elementary, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, breast cancer survivors, volunteer at Bo’s Place and fellow quilters. For the past 12 years Judy was most proud of being a grandmother, affectionately known as Nani.

Judy and the entire family are forever grateful for the love and support of so many friends. Special thanks to “Team Judy” who served as our angels and provided Judy with love and care. Judy left her handprint on our hearts and touched the lives of many.

Public visitation is planned from 5pm to 8pm, May 11, 2015 at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77077. There will be a rosary followed by tributes from family and friends.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Laurence Catholic Church on May 12, 2015 at 10:00 am. The church is located at 3100 Sweetwater Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Burial will take place immediately following the mass at Forest Park Cemetery.

The family is honored to have the following serve as pallbearers: Chris Bugbee, Tony Dawlearn, James D. Jezyk, Robert Rodriguez, Javier Sanchez, Yohance Turk.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to MD Anderson Brain Cancer Research in memory of Judy Sanchez, https://gifts.mdanderson.org or call 1-800-525-5841.