Viola Sanchez

Viola Sanchez passed away on June 25, 2019 in Denver, CO at age 95. She was born in Ledoux, NM on September 25, 1923 to Frank Espinoza and Deluvina Romero who later resided in Cheyenne.

During WWII, Viola was recruited to attend welders training in Vancouver, WA. Women who obtained this certification and worked in shipyards and factories were known as Rosie the Riveters. After receiving her welder's certificate, Viola returned to Ledoux to care for the needs of her large family. Viola married José "Joe" T. Sanchez of El Oro, NM on March 23, 1946 in Ledoux. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Cheyenne where they resided for sixty-two years. Viola was an excellent cook and homemaker. She enjoyed hosting family dinners, sewing, crocheting, and embroidering. She was very happy when a small tapestry she entered in a Laramie County State Fair won a blue ribbon. She also worked with her husband, a custom home builder, in seven homes in the Cheyenne Cole addition.

She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Deluvina Espinoza and brothers Tony, Ramon, and Corcinio. Her surviving six sisters include Marcia Vigil and Hope Harms of Cheyenne, WY; Bernie Preston of Yuba City, CA, Estefanie Talmadge of Longmont, CO; Nora Talmadge of Seattle, WA; and Vangie Valenzuela of Oro Valley, AZ. Her three children include Norma (Ernest) Torrez of Cheyenne; Virginia Sanchez (Tony Hernandez) of Denver, CO; and Sandra Sanchez (Jim Carr) of Falls, Church, VA. Sanchez had three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A Catholic Rosary at 9 a.m. will be followed by a Memorial Mass at Notre Dame Church, 2190 S. Sheridan, Denver, CO on July 10, 2019. A reception will follow. Viola will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.