Mary Ellen Sanchez, 80, of Winslow, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 11, 2026, surrounded by those she loved most.
Mary was born in St. Johns, to Esquipula and Predicanda Herrera. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt whose love for her family was the center of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Blas Sanchez; son, Richard S.; and sister, Maria (Eugenia).
She is survived by her children, Patrick, Elizabeth, Blas and Raymond; brothers, Joe (Sonny) and Vicente (Tito), wife Beverly; and her many cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary also lovingly helped raise her grandchildren, Matthew, Pedro (Tico) and Veronica (Nica), who held an especially special place in her heart.
Mary dedicated much of her working life to serving others and was proud to have served as a general manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1970s even meeting Colonel Sanders at one point during her time with KFC. She was known for her strong work ethic and leadership.
Mary was happiest when surrounded by family. She treasured trips to Laughlin with her grandchildren and created countless memories filled with laughter and love. When she was able to be in the kitchen, she was a wonderful cook who took pride in preparing meals for those she cared about. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed watching her “stories” on television and her favorite game shows during the day.
Above all, Mary will be remembered for her love of family, her resilience, and the quiet strength she showed throughout her life. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion, warmth, and cherished memories that will live on in all who knew and loved her.
