Belen Sanchez, 84, a resident of Rodarte, NM passed away from a lengthy illness on Thursday, September 13, 2012. She was a loving wife, mother & grandmother. She loved her family dearly. She passed on many of her recipes to her daughters and granddaughters, of her delicious bread, green chili and her prune pastelitos. Belen had quite a green thumb and tended to her flowers and garden with great care. One of her favorite outings was going to pick piñon, she would get mad if they wouldn’t take her. Belen’s most passionate moments were spent with her loving husband. They would sit outside enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company. She will be missed by her family. Belen was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Fidelia Casaus; infant children: Manuel and Joyce Sanchez; grandchildren: Jennifer Rose Vasquez, Jason Chavez, Christopher and Devon Sanchez, Steven and Justin Valdez; brother, Frank Casaus; in-laws: Apolonio and Agripianita Sanchez; brothers-in-law: Louis Kelly, Francis and File Sanchez and Amadeo Trujillo; sister-in-law, Elizaida Sanchez, son-in-law, Florencio Chacon; nephew, Gene Lopez. Belen is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rodolfo Sanchez of Rodarte, NM; children: Josephine Gonzales and husband Liberato of Albuquerque, NM, Jerry Sanchez and wife Mary of Rio Lucio, NM, Charlie Sanchez and wife Becky of Rio Lucio, NM, Connie Chacon and companion George DeHerrera of Las Vegas, NM, Julie Valdez and husband Steve of Vadito, NM, Jesse Sanchez and companion Pita Trujillo of Rio Lucio, NM, Gilbert Sanchez and companion Gloria Sandoval of Las Vegas, NM, Lorraine Vasquez and husband George of Rio Lucio, NM, Carol Sanchez of Rodarte, NM, Norma Sanchez and companion Daniel Vigil of Rodarte, NM; sister, Oralia Kelly of Albuquerque, NM; brothers: Leo Casaus and wife Veronise of Grants, NM and Erminio Casaus and wife Kate of Rio Rancho, NM; brother-in-law, Jose Sanchez of Española; sisters-in-law: Emilia Sanchez of Rodarte, Rose Trujillo of Nambe and Connie Sanchez of Rodarte, NM; closest grandchildren: Johnny and companion Lonnie of Rodarte, David Sanchez and wife Jolene of Taos, NM, Desiree Lopez and husband Mark of Vadito, Wayne Valdez of Vadito and Georgie Vasquez of Albuquerque, NM; closest great-grandchildren: Dylan Sanchez of Rodarte, Demarcus Lopez of Vadito; 33 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 6 great great-grandchildren; numerous other loving relatives & friends. Public visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco with burial to take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. with the following serving as pallbearers: Desiree Lopez, Joseph Pacheco, David and Johnny Sanchez, George Vasquez, Jr. and Wayne Valdez; honorary pallbearers: James, Nathaniel and Matthew Sanchez, Patrick DeHerrera, Ricky Valdez and Agustine Sanchez. The family of Belen Sanchez have entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477