Candelaria Sanchez

Candelaria Sanchez, 94, was born on a ranch in Salt Lake, New Mexico, in Catron County to Audon and Paula Gonzales in 1922. She passed away at The Springs of Whitefish from complications of Alzheimer’s on June 2, 2016.

She attended elementary school in Quemado, New Mexico, St John’s High School in St. Johns, Arizona, where she met her future husband Frank. She attended Flagstaff University, then received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona at Tempe. She and Frank married in 1944.

She was a Spanish teacher at Bellflower High School in California for 17 years, during which she attended California State University, Long Beach and received a master’s degree in Spanish. After retirement from teaching, she started a second career as a Los Angeles Court-Certified Interpreter and Translator and also started a business in her home translating documents from Spanish to English.

During her retirement, Candy was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Long Beach, was a member of the Young Ladies Institute and remained active in Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Long Beach. She also enjoyed monthly TGIF lunches with her retired teacher friends and was an avid gardener.

Preceded in death by her two sons, Dennis and William, and her husband Frank and all of her siblings. Survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Bob Brassaw of Whitefish as well as numerous nieces and nephews in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

She will be remembered as a devoted and supportive wife and mother who was able to complete her goal of getting an advanced college degree while working full time and raising three children.

Per her wishes, Candy will be buried in Long Beach, California on June 22 next to her husband and two sons.

Austin Funeral Home is caring for the family.