Maria Luisa Sanchez, beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and community leader passed away after a seven-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. She went peacefully in her home in Laton, California, surrounded by her husband and family. She was 67 years old.

The oldest of Maria Ventureno and Juan Ayala's sixteen children, Maria Luisa established a strong work ethic at a very young age helping to support her family in Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco, where she was born and raised. Her humble upbringing helped shape the strong, independent, and mujer luchadora she would become and be remembered as. The need to find more ways to financially support her family and in pursuit of more opportunities, Maria Luisa immigrated to the US in 1974. Just a year later, while working as a housekeeper, she met the love of her life, Isidro Sanchez and in 1976 they happily married.

One of Maria Luisa's greatest accomplishments was being a mother to her three children, Myrna, Vera, and Isidro Jr.. Determined to give their children the upbringing and opportunities that they never had, Isidro and Maria Luisa, planted roots and purchased their forever home in Laton in 1987. Taking on her Superman or Hulk personas (endearing nicknames her family would often use), Maria Luisa took on raising her children, working full-time, volunteering at her children's schools, and getting involved with her community and church. There was nothing she couldn't or wouldn't do to integrate her family within school and community. It brought her so much joy to not only help and support her family, but her friends and community as well.

Maria Luisa was a devout Catholic. Her deep and unwavering faith in God helped her persevere and challenge she confronted and filled her heart and soul with love and hope. As an active parishioner of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Maria Luisa was involved in numerous groups including the La Sociedad Guadalupana, Los Cursillistas, Grupo de Oración, Adoración Nocturna, and Renovación Carismática. She was a very generous and kind-hearted woman who was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand. If a person went to her for help, she would literally give you the shirt off her back. Maria Luisa was strong in all aspects, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Her smile, sense of humor, and laughter brightened up any room and anyone's spirits; in a way, it was her gift to those around her.

Maria Luisa took tremendous pleasure in cooking, traveling, and teaching. She was famous for her tamales and authentic Mexican food. Not only making them to enjoy with family and friends (especially during the holidays), but she also used her cooking skills and tamales recipe to support countless fundraisers in the community and church. She also could never turn down an invitation to travel and explore a new place, you just needed to tell her when, and she was ready to go. In addition, she loved to teach her family and friends all that she knew, from cooking, accounting that she learned to help her husband's family business, and all she knew about health and wellness. She had a passion for herbs and using them to help cure or minimize ailments and their side effects. This was especially helpful during the time she cared for her mother, visited the sick in hospitals or their homes. She was always passing down her nuggets of wisdom and knowledge to try and help their conditions and quality of life.

Her greatest and most treasured role was that of being Grandma, Abuelita, or Nana, it was beautiful to watch her flourish in their presence. Her life changed when she became an abuela to her first grandson, Jesus Anthony Hernandez. Chuyito was her world! She was so gentle and loving and was able to spoil her grandchildren in ways she was unable to with her children. They included Amanda (Hernandez) Worley, Robert (Sanchez) Garcia, Julian Sanchez, Addieson Sanchez and Alexander (Alejandrito) Xavier Ramirez. Any time they invited her to join them in school activities, games, and birthdays, she would make time to be with them. It didn't matter if she was feeling well or not, she was there.

Maria Luisa's greatest challenge in life was her battle with lung; a battle she fought valiantly and with dignity for the last seven years of her life. Against all odds and numerous prognoses from the various doctors and specialists she saw over the years, her faith and love of life and family, helped her be that mujer luchadora she had been all her life. Even when that meant standing alongside her beloved husband when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Their love for each other was a great source of strength. In addition, the birth of her grandson, Alejandrito in 2015 became another reason for her to keep fighting. And fought she did.

In the days leading up to her passing, Maria Luisa was surrounded by family and friends. She was serenaded to, embraced, and loved. She was present with everyone, and everyone could feel her loving them right back. On March 28th, Maria was visited by many friends and family members.  She was serenaded by her friends.  They sang to her, held her hand, hugged her and loved on her. Maria Luisa took her last breath on March 29 ^th , surrounded by her family, caregivers, and hospice nurse. Maria Luisa is now reunited with her mother, father, and brother, Patricio Ayala. She worked her entire life to serve the Lord and, on this day, she was reunited with him.

We would like to thank all the medical professionals who provided excellent medical care for Maria Luisa during battle with cancer.  We would like to thank Dr. Uzair Chaudhary, Dr. William Silviera and the entire medical staff at Clovis Cancer Center.  We would like to thank Dr. Collin Michael Blaklely, Dr. Rosanna Wustrack, Sarah Hughlett-Adkins Sedki, Dr. Alexander Theologis, Dr. I-Kung Wu, Dr. Kristopher Jackson, Dr. Ross Okimoto and the countless supportive staff at UCSF San Francisco for such wonderful care.  We would like to thank Dr. Gerald Rogado and his amazing team of ladies at Adventist Health Hanford for providing my mom excellent medical care and support.  Thank you to the countless friends and family that have helped with her care, transportation and keeping Maria Luisa company.  Thank you to the beautiful community for all the love and support.  A special thank you to her amazing caregiver, Rosita.  You are an angel sent from above.  We appreciate your countless hours of caring for Maria Luisa.  Rosita cared for Maria Luisa with so much love and respect.  We are eternally grateful for all you did.

Maria Luisa is survived by her husband, Isidro Sanchez and her children Myrna Hernandez, Vera Sanchez-Ramirez, and Isidro Sanchez Jr.  She is survived by her beautiful grandchildren, Jesus A. Hernandez, Amanda Worley, Robert (Sanchez) Garcia, Julian Sanchez, Addieson Sanchez, and Alexander Xavier Ramirez.

Just as Maria Luisa was a giving soul, we ask that you please find it in your heart to help support someone struggling with Cancer, whether it be helping someone financially, taking them a meal or two, helping them with chores or errands, or just visiting the sick and providing them comfort.  We ask that you share her kindness with the world.  Thank you on behalf of the Sanchez Family.