Dorothy Irene Sanchez

Dorothy I. Sanchez, age 88, passed away in her home in Bernalillo, NM on the morning of January 29, 2022. Born in Folsom, NM, to Rosendo and Virginia Rael, she was the second oldest of 19 children. She met Donato Sanchez in Clayton, NM, and was married on January 21, 1950. They were married for 70 years when Donato passed on January 10, 2020. Dorothy was the mother of seven children, Louis, Tom, Cathy, Beatrice, Priscilla, Anna, & Celia. She loved and admired her 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She was a long-time member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where she volunteered her time to St. Vincent de Paul. Throughout her life, she enhanced her talents and became a cake artist, owner of Rela's Ceramics, and avid painter and seamstress. She was a member and president of the Women's Auxiliary Club for the Bernalillo Fire Department and was part of the reading library group for small children. She was known for her generosity and compassion to help families in need of food, shelter, and clothing.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters Juanita Rael, Pauline Rael, Jean Talley, Addie Montoya, and Belen Simoes; her brothers Charlie Rael, Richard Rael, Joe Rael, Manuel Rael, Dennis Rael, Johnny Rael; her grandsons Joseph Threadgill, Joe Tarman, and Juan Sanchez; brother & sisters-in-law Jim Talley, Pete McDonald, Joe Simoes; Viola Rael, Irene Rael, Andy Sanchez, & Michael Sanchez.

Dorothy is survived by her children Louis Sanchez of Albuquerque; Tom Sanchez & wife Terri of Clayton, NM, Cathy Montoya of Antioch, CA; Beatrice Thompson of Bernalillo, NM; Priscilla Threadgill & husband David of Bernalillo, NM; Anna Montoya & husband Phil of Rio Rancho, NM, and Celia McCarty of Bernalillo, NM.

Her grandchildren include Eric Sanchez of Albuquerque & his four children, Joshua, Matthew, Bella, Sophie; Joshua & Lindsey Tarman of Sarasota, FL, & their two children Genevieve and Gunnar; Juan Sanchez (deceased) of Albuquerque, NM & his two daughters Jade & Jazmyn, Lorenzo Montoya & Johanna Ortiz of Oakley, CA, with his daughter Jaquelyn; Fabian Montoya of Antioch, CA; Carlos Sanchez & Sheila Smith of Albuquerque, NM, & his two sons Carlos & Ray; Chris & Julie Sanchez of Belen NM, & their children Isaiah, Lucas, Tristen, Garin, Bishop, & Adriene. Andres Montoya of Citrus Heights, CA & his two daughters Kaylin & Ariah; Joe Tarman (deceased) of Las Cruces, NM & his four daughters Jacynda, Mariska, Hayden, & Ainsley; Ramon Montoya of Antioch, CA; Arashonda & Drew Kientz of Bernalillo, NM, & their children Sylver, Ayden & Joie River; Danielle Threadgill & Chris McLaughlin of Bernalillo, NM; Felicia & Renee Sanchez-Gonzales of Albuquerque, NM; Anjelica Montoya of Fresno, CA; Joseph Threadgill (deceased) of Bernalillo, NM; Phanael & Steven Torres of Rio Rancho, NM; Jeffrey & Megan McCarty of Rio Rancho, NM & their two sons Kale & Mason; Davina McCarty of Bernalillo, NM; Tomas Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; and Briana McCarty of Bernalillo, NM.

Dorothy also survived by her sisters & brothers: Mercedes & Bruce Mereki of Silver City, NM; Patricia McDonald of Clayton, NM; Lucine & Tommy Montoya of Clayton, NM; Leo & Paula Rael of Poplar Bluff, MO; Dominic & JoJo Rael of Clayton, NM; Casimiro & Tina Rael of St. Petersburg, FL; & Freddie Rael of El, Paso, TX. Her brother & sisters-in-law: Clara Serbin of Bernalillo, NM; Robert & Angie Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; Ramon & Gloria Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; Frances & Leroy Olguin of Tucumcari, NM; Dorothy Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM; Steve Sanchez of Edmond, OK; and many nieces and nephews.

A rosary and funeral service will be held Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:00am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Bernalillo, NM with internment at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the St. Vincent de Paul through Our Lady of Sorrow Church in Bernalillo ( https://www.osvhub.com/olosbernalillo/funds).