Benita Sanchez

Date of Birth

Mar 21,1929

Date of Death

May 15,2007

Benita (Martinez) Sanchez,Age 78 of Batavia, formerly of Elburn, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2007. Since her diagnosis with Pancreatic Cancer, just six weeks ago, Benita had made her home in Yorkville, IL, with her daughter, Bea. Surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and many friends she passed away much sooner than expected, but at peace with her life and her Lord. Benita was born March 21, 1929, in Fredericksburg, TX, the daughter of Norberto and Cayentana (Cardenas) Martinez. The second oldest of seven children, she grew up in Fredericksburg where she met Joseph Sanchez in school. From the time she was a child, she began working in the fields with her family and friends. When crops were going in and at harvest time, they worked full time and Benita helped care for her brothers and sisters as well. In the off-season, she could attend school. On April 22, 1950, childhood sweethearts became man and wife as Benita was united in marriage to Joseph Sanchez. They were wed on Saturday night and Monday morning the two were back in the cotton fields, hard at work. They made their home in Fredericksburg until 1953, when they moved to Elburn, IL to find better work and a better life. Benita and Joseph were blessed with seven children. A devoted wife and mother, Benita made a loving and welcoming home for her family. Her children loved her tortillas and everyone wanted one of Benita’s delicious cakes. With Benita’s kitchen magic, there was always plenty to go around. She was also active in the parish life of St. Gall’s Church and a part of her heart would always remain in Elburn. When her children were older and National Electronics built a plant near Elburn, Benita became employed there and enjoyed working with her friends until 2001 when she retired at the age of 72.In 1974, she and her family moved to Batavia. There, Benita quickly embraced her new faith-family at Holy Cross Church. When a move began to build a new church, she was one of the first to make a pledge. With faith and determination she kept that pledge and, true to her nature, remained active at church, involved in the annual Barn Sale and interested in the lives of her many parish friends. Four children, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.Her children: Jerry (Donna) Sanchez of North Aurora, ILMichael (Patricia) Sanchez of Winter, WIBea and Kevin Collins of YorkvilleDavid Sanchez of Seattle, WA.(And the late Joseph, Linda and John Henry);Ten Grandchildren:(Jerry’s): Heather of Aurora and Christina of Florida;(Michael’s): Michael and Marissa both of Wisconsin;(Bea’s): Bryan of Aurora, Melissa and Johnathan of Yorkville;(Joseph’s): Sidney, Samantha and Joseph, all at home in Batavia with their mother, Erin Sanchez. seven great-grandchildren: Jamie, Adriana, Riley, Rogue, Mikayla, Rydar and DevenFour siblings, all of Texas: Lupe Martinez, Rosa Rocha ,Anita Silva and Mary Julia Hodges ;She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph,Three children, Joseph, Linda and John Henryher parents and two brothers, Gilbert Martinez and Joseph Martinez.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Benita’s name. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to help, may make checks payable to the Benita Sanchez Memorial and mail them in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 20, 2007 from 2 pm to 6 pm with a rosary at 2:30pm and wake service at 5:30 pm (TO BE CONFIRMED ) at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Her funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, May 21, 2007 at Holy Cross Church, Main St. Rd., Batavia at 10:30am. The Rev. Fr. Daniel Deutsch will officiate

Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva, Il.

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