Olivia Sanchez

WESLACO - Olivia Sanchez, 85, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 in McAllen. She was born on June 14, 1930 in Louisville, Kentucky. She lived there until the age of 5, when her father had a tragic mining accident and was killed. They moved to Mexico where her mom would open a store and support Olivia and her sister, Juanita, and two brothers, Eloy and Jose.

They returned to the US when Olivia was a teenager and would make their home in Weslaco. Olivia met her husband, Jose Maria Sanchez, Sr. in Weslaco and they would be married on July 12th, 1948. Olivia and Jose would be blessed with seven children, Vicente, Jose Jr., Angelita, Olivia, Juanita, Eloisa and Jesus Sr. made caring for her children and her husband her full time job. She was a great homemaker providing wonderful meals for the children and cousins. The food was always hot and ready when they got home from school and there was always plenty. She invented many cake recipes from scratch and they were always very tasty. Olivia would sew dresses and outfits for her children, even out of flour sacks. She was a true homemaker and used her time and resources wisely to educate and care for her children. Olivia also had a love for animals and she leaves behind a chihuahua, Nikita, and a poodle, Precious.

Finally, Olivia was a Catholic woman and spent a lot of time praying and going to mass.

Olivia is preceded in death by her parents, Victoriano & Herlinda Garcia, her husband, Jose Maria Sanchez Sr., her daughter, Juanita Sanchez, her sons, Vicente Sanchez and Jose Maria Sanchez Jr., her brothers, Eloy Garcia and Jose Garcia.

She is survived by her sister, Juanita Valdez, of Weslaco, her daughters, Angelita (Guadalupe)+ Garcia of Austin, Olivia (Casimiro) Molina of Weslaco, and Eloisa Sanchez of Weslaco, her son, Jesus (Rita) Sanchez of Weslaco, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jesus Sanchez Sr., David Sanchez, Guadalupe Garcia III, Joe Garcia, Joel Garcia and Jesus Sanchez Jr., and honorary pallbearer, Casimiro Molina.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.