Lydia Islas

Lydia (Sanchez) Islas was born August 3rd 1926 in Jackson, California to parents Teodoro and Maria (Escobedo) Sanchez. She was welcomed home peacefully into the hands of the Lord on August 3rd 2023. She couldn’t have planned it any better than to celebrate her 97th birthday with her Lord Jesus Christ.

Lydia grew up in Northern California with her parents and 9 siblings. Growing up in a large family Lydia developed loving character traits that she carried throughout her life. She was a good student. As a child she was invited to represent her school by giving a speech that she wrote to a large audience. Although she was shy, she bravely read it. During her high school years, she lived on Catalina Island and formed a lifelong special bond with her cousin Lupe. Once again, she overcame her shyness as the “new girl” in high school, met new friends and loved her time there. She would come back home and graduate from Lodi High. She also completed 2 years of college.

The way she met her husband, Mike Islas, is amusing. Story has it that Lydia & her friends were watching firefighters practice drills and she flirtatiously called out “save me- save me”…apparently, she lost her shyness! And one young firefighter, Mike, stepped in to “save” her. She and Mike were married on October 5th 1947. Together they had 7 children and a marriage that lasted 40 years until his death in 1986.

As a mother of 7 children, she made sure that they had all they needed. Plus, whether or not it was budgeted, she made sure that there were fantastic birthday parties, and many vacations- including yearly Islas family reunions camping in Yosemite; trips to Disneyland; or just enjoying long weekends in the Bay Area with her Sanchez family. With 7 children her household may have seemed crazy at times, but it was crazy fun.

Lydia also had a sharp mind, long before women’s lib, she worked outside the home. She became a Loan Officer at Central State Credit Union and started a program where she would travel from business to business opening new accounts. This was very profitable & successful for the credit union and proved Lydia to be a very important asset to the company. After approximately 15 years she retired.

Retirement did not slow Lydia down. Instead, she picked up her racket and renewed her passion for playing tennis. She played with the Oak Park League, where she placed in the top of her Senior League and more importantly made life-long friends. She also joined the Senior Choir at her church. Book club and Bible Study groups were her favorite social activities. These were great outlets for Lydia because during these years she also lovingly took care of her husband, Mike, who had health issues from an earlier heart attack.

In her later years, although her body and mind may have grown tired and weak, her strong faith in our Lord carried her. Lydia knew she was blessed with a great life and had achieved so many accomplishments. Yet she would emphasize what meant most in her life was her Faith in Jesus Christ, her Savior. And she would be quick to share her love for the Lord.

Lydia is survived by her 3 daughters and 2 sons, Mary Anne Fry (John), Cecilia Sallee (Gary), Michael Islas, Daniel Islas (Diane) Veronica Jackson (Mitchel), and daughter-in-law Valerie Islas; 17 Grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Lydia is predeceased by her loving husband Michael, and her loving sons, Matthew & Steven.

How do I honor my mother with only a spoken word? Without using cliches or sayings, you’ve already heard. I’ll try by sharing all that this wonderful woman has meant to me. As I describe moments & memories, you’ll see her loving personality.

Lydia had lots of titles: a wife, friend, sister, gramma, just to name a few

To me she was my Mother, my mom whose consistent love for us only grew. Looking back and remembering all the big and little things she did for us She wanted us to feel special so she’d do it without making a fuss.

Her baking skills were creative, she’d make me birthday cakes shaped like butterflies Sometimes she’d make her famous pineapple upside down cake what a delicious surprise Oh then she’d whip up her authentic Mexican Dulce De Leche Umm yum yum It was so good, you’d have to grab a piece quickly or else you’d only get a crumb!

With 7 kids outgrowing all of their clothes, she had to pull out her sewing machine. And with or without a pattern she’d create outfits the most original ever to be seen!

Matching outfits for my sisters and matching shirts for my brothers and dad She made my Easter dresses too, the prettiest I ever had.

Then she decided to get a job, employed by the credit union she would soon find

Working in an office and in the financial field she had a sharp business mind!

While my parents were working, usually we’d be home alone after school

Mom would remind us to do our chores and homework before getting in our pool.

A few times she’d drop by the house just to make sure things were ok she’d take a glance & see

Rumor had it she crashed my brother’s party, saw a girl without a suit then called her naked Nancy!

We were always up to something, sneaking pool parties, thinking mom was unaware

Boy, were we shocked and busted when out of the blue mom would show up there!

There was chaos and challenges with a house full of kids, yet so many funny stories to tell

I credit mom’s, patience, love and humor that she didn’t give up and say “Oh What the Hell”

Maybe that was the time she looked towards the heavens, she needed some help and she needed it fast.

She recommitted her life to the Lord and had a relationship with Jesus that would faithfully last.

Through her Bible studies she met Bishop Cody who invited her to visit Jerusalem and the Middle East.

That would be the beginning of her love of traveling, the start of many journeys, to say the least.

Sure, she’d been cross country, all around the USA and of course Mexico!

But once she got her passport she was packed & ready to go!

Off she went boarding planes, visiting Israel, Ireland, Europe, Greece, Spain, and Turkey too.

She traveled with groups, she traveled with family & friends, she may have traveled with you!

Ok just a few more stories, my goodness, mom made to 97, that is kind of old

With such a full and wonderful life there’s still so many tales to be told.

I haven’t talked about her savory tortillas, enchiladas, or even her rooster and angel collections!

How will I edit this down, when I’m overwhelmed with my thoughts and reflections!

Mom loved flowers like roses and all kinds of plants too, she had quite a green thumb

Clipping from here and a clipping from there, where ever she went she had to take some.

Sure enough, every seed & every clipping would take root, you could see for yourself

If you visited the Alpine house, our family room was jungle, plants all over the shelf!

Her favorite color was purple. She loved everything and anything in that shade & that hue

Then along came Aunt Carmen driving her bright purple hornet, Now mom wanted one too!

She called her brother, Father Lupe, to take her to the auction where she was ready to bid

She had to have that car, to drive away in a purple hornet …and that’s exactly what she did!

When she was off to play tennis or driving around doing errands day to day

You couldn’t help but notice her and that purple hornet from so miles away!

Did I mention all the goodies she loved? See’s Candies or Baskin Robbin pralines and crème

Bring her any of those treats she be so grateful her face would light up, bright as a beam!

Oh mom had a great sense of humor, she certainly had a quick wit,

If she noticed a discrepancy, she’d smirk and crack a joke about it!

Sometimes it could be embarrassing, the things she would say were so funny

You didn’t want her to offend anyone, yet her insight was right on the money!

Not everyone knew how selfless she was, giving to many charities, volunteering in her community,

She helped with Su Salud, and the Pregnancy centers, she was ready to assist with any opportunity

Mom had a big heart and a generous spirit

Yet she didn’t take credit, she wouldn’t hear of it.

There was a woman in the bible named Lydia, she was the seller of purple. Mom felt she could relate.

It’s written that “she and her household were saved”. Mom had faith & knew it is never too late.

So all during mom’s lifetime she was intentional, had a purpose to tell us about her Lord.

She wanted all to accept her Jesus, His salvation a free gift -one that we could never afford.

Now she is home with the Lord and with her love ones who have gone before

But can you just imagine what a wonderful reunion she had in store!

The love mom gave throughout her life was not unseen or overlooked, The Lord is observant!

And when she was promoted, Jesus welcomed her with words “ Well done, my good and faithful servant”