Agnes (Cordova) Sanchez

Agnes Sanchez, age 96, of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 21, 2022, with her family by her side. She is survived by her daughters, Christina Xylas and Rosalind Hodovance (Jack); grandchildren, Jessica Baca, Lori Pina, Tanya Walker (Rob), Reyna Barela, Raynessa Peirot (Matt), Lynn Sanchez, Christopher Perea, Antonio Sanchez, Marcus Sanchez, and Aaron Sanchez; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Eliud (Leo); sons, Anthony Eluid Sanchez and Raymond Edward Sanchez; grandchildren, Raylene Sanchez and Angelo Sanchez; son-in-law, Gregory Xylas; siblings, Mary Quintana, Arturo Cordova, Senaida (Sadie) Griego, Jose Cordova, Benny Cordova, Marcella Kapokis, Dora Lucero, and Marcelina Cordova.

Agnes was born in Ledoux, New Mexico on Friday, February 19, 1926, to Celso and Marcelina Cordova. At the age of three, Agnes and her siblings were orphaned after their parents passed away within months of each other. Celso was struck and killed by lightning while gathering two lambs during a storm. At the time, Marcelina was expecting their eighth child and she died during childbirth. Agnes and her sisters were sent to Loretta Industrial School for Girls in Santa Fe and her brothers were sent to St. Anthony Home for Boys in Albuquerque. Agnes often told the story that while at the orphanage the nuns would occupy the children by scattering multicolored beads over the grass which the girls would collect into small wooden boxes. Agnes attributed her love of beaded jewelry to her experience collecting them as a child.

Agnes was adopted by a family at a young age. Her foster father, Edward Gonzales, was a kind and compassionate man who worked as a railroad foreman. Agnes shared how Edward made sure that during one Christmas she received a beloved red wagon and later he gave her a violin. In middle school, Agnes played strong defense for her basketball team and she helped them to win a pennant.

When Agnes was 17, she moved to Denver. While there, she was unexpectedly reunited with her oldest brother, Arturo, through a friend at work. Arturo was 16 at the time of their parents’ death and he was the only sibling who wasn't sent to an orphanage.

At 19, Agnes moved back to Albuquerque, and shortly afterward met Eliud (Leo). Leo had noticed Agnes at local dances and one day while she was waiting for her bus, he stopped his truck to offer her a ride to work.  After much persuasion she accepted his offer. They were married weeks later and they enjoyed 74 years in a loving marriage until Leo’s passing in 2019.

In the early years of marriage, Agnes worked to help support her growing family. She collected and polished apples from the family’s orchard in the South Valley and then she employed neighborhood boys to help her sell them out of the back of a truck. Agnes went on to help Leo start and established Valley Lumber Mills where she was the bookkeeper. Later she would help him with their real estate business.

Agnes was an amazing cook and she loved to feed her family and friends.  Some of her specialties were red chile and natillas and on Good Fridays her family would gather for her egg tortas and salmon patties. No matter the occasion, if you were in her house, Agnes tried to feed you.

Agnes had many dear, longtime friends and she continued to make friends throughout her life. People who met Agnes were drawn to her graciousness and sense of fun and humor, and on more than one occasion she turned strangers into friends.  She loved good music, food, and cocktails, but Agnes could create a festive atmosphere with just her presence.

Agnes's zest for life always made her ready for adventure. She toured Europe with Leo, and she experienced many places in Mexico and the United States. She also traveled to the Caribbean and Canada. Although she visited many world cities, Agnes was in awe of nature. She especially loved birds, the changing leaves of autumn, oceans, and snow-covered mountains and she regularly commented on the beauty of the Sandia Mountains.  She loved the horse races, and she enjoyed them during this year's state fair. Agnes liked to shop for beautiful clothes and jewelry, and she retained her glamorous style through her nineties.  Her beauty was both external and internal.

Her hardships early in life taught her profound compassion. Agnes remembered a time while living in Denver when she didn’t have a suitable coat. She said she was given one by a stranger to stay warm and once on a cold day when Agnes noticed an unhoused woman without socks, she had her daughter, Christina, take hers off to give to her. Through her example and words, Agnes reminded her family to be kind and generous.  Her kindness also extended to the many dogs she loved over the decades.

Whether due to her childhood experiences or in spite of them, Agnes was courageous, strong, and a fierce ally. She was the cornerstone of her family and she worked tirelessly for her children and grandchildren. Her love and care for her family was ever-present and she was deeply loved in return. Agnes was a woman of unwavering faith and she trusted in God's will. She would pray throughout the day, expressing her gratitude and asking God to protect her family and they are profoundly thankful for her lifetime of spiritual leadership.

The family extends their deepest appreciation to Agnes's caregivers. Beyond caring for her physical needs with Anges's dignity always in mind, they helped to emotionally and spiritually bolster her through their loving care.

A Mass will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.