Beatrice Sanchez, known to all of us who loved her, as Aunt Bea, was born February 4, 1917 in Maxwell, Texas, during WWI, and lived over a century. Bea lived to be 101 ½ years old, passing in her home in Westminster, California on August 1, 2018, surrounded by her family and her beloved dog, Kimo. Bea was raised in San Antonio, Texas where she studied cosmetology, worked as a manager at Solo Serve, and worked side by side with her husband as a salad chef at Valerio’s Italian restaurant in San Antonio, Texas.
Bea married Jesse Sanchez in 1941, and in 1966 they relocated to California where Bea’s mom, Juanita, and brothers, Cesar and Fernando, were living. Bea loved to travel and would often travel by train to Texas, returning to her roots. In 1992, at 75 years of age, she ventured to London, Paris, Italy, and Switzerland with her sister, Mary, and niece, Vi. She had the time of her life.
In the earlier 70’s she would travel by car with her nephew Johnny Blake and Doug Solomon up north to visit her niece Sally Brown. Bea was at her best when traveling; especially with family. Bea did not have a driver’s license nor much driving experience in the sixties when she drove herself, her husband Jesse, and her niece Sally Rodarte (Brown) from Moab, Utah to Los Angeles, California. During her trip to Los Angeles she experienced car troubles and difficult road conditions, all the while dealing with her husband who was sick and her niece who was just a child, but she did it. This was a testament to her strength and tenacity. She didn’t let anything or anyone stop her.
Bea enjoyed arts and crafts and expressed her creative talents by designing hundreds of porcelain dolls, doll clothing, floral arrangements, and delectable food presentations. She loved old movies, singing, and shopping. A woman, who till the very end, was always in charge. As she put it, “ I still have my mind”.
While going through Bea’s things we found a treasure trove of historical documents all related to our family history and heritage including letters dating back to the 1800’s, a book of war ration stamps, and news clippings from the 1940’s.
She loved socializing and helping others and found great reward in her charity work which included volunteering at the food bank, senior center, and her church. Bea loved children and raised Rodger Rutherford from newborn to five years of age. They remained in close contact throughout Bea’s entire life. Bea also babysat for Stevie and Stephanie Bishop. Stevie and Stephanie were children of a close friend and remained in close contact to this day.
Bea will always be remembered by her sister, Ollie, nieces Vi and Jeanette, nephews Johnny, Chris, Duane, and Ric; generations of nieces and nephews; and friends who became part of her family.
You will not be forgotten Aunt Bea. We will always keep you in our thoughts and prayers. You have not left us. Your presence can be seen in the many memories you leave behind. Your image we see in the faces of every family member to always remind us that you will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts.
Bea is preceded in death by her parents Feliciano and Juanita Rodarte; her brothers Fernando and Cesar; and her sister Mary. Bea’s husband died in August 1991, after they had been married 50 years. On August 12, when Bea is finally laid to rest, she will again take her place beside her husband Jesse.