Marta Lizeth Sánchez of Panorama City, CA passed away on July 22th, 2024 at the age of 65. She was born on November 03, 1958 in Guatemala City where she grew up in a humble home with her twin brother Otto Manuel, sisters María Teresa, Flor de María and younger brother Edgar, her Mother Martha Julia and her a Father Otto Erico.
She worked under many occupations over the years, from working at a bank in Guatemala as customer service representative, making her way up to secretary of Chief Monetary Officer , once she moved to Los Angeles she performed a couple of occupations but her latest one was working for a family as their nanny for which the love for their kids was unmeasured.
She was actively involved in her church and participated in many roles as well. From helping with the church annual party to being an active advocate working together with NLSLA’s deputy director Yvonne Maria Jimenez in 2009 when the housing market had collapsed. Marta didn’t stop advocating. She was interviewed on CNN, Univision, and CBS to name a few. She accompanied NLSLA attorneys to community events to raise awareness of the foreclosure crisis and let people know there was help.
During this time Marta was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even throughout her treatment which included chemotherapy, she didn’t stop. She showed up whether it was a protest or a speaking engagement she always showed up.
Her interviews with the press help put the pernicious practices of the banks on the national stage. Banks began to react to the publicity: Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo all agreed to provide mortgage loan counselors, who met one on one with homeowners facing foreclosure at the NLSLA offices. Marta helped bring the banks to the very community they had targeted with their sub-prime mortgage lending.
Marta also shared her story, and that of many other families who were facing foreclosure, with elected officials. Her advocacy significantly contributed to bringing about the Homeowner Bill of Rights, which became law in January of 2013 and provided additional protection for homeowners.
On May, 2016 Marta was honored for her advocacy with a Mujer Campeona award from LAUSD Board Member Monica Garcia. She loved people, she loved her family and most importantly she loved God.
She is survived by her husband Francisco Sanchez, her daughter Annelisse, her sons Carlos and Elio, her beloved grandkids Andrea, Alex, Serenity and Alanna.
Those who knew Marta, knew the type of strong woman she was. She loved God and trusted him no matter the circumstances life threw at her. Even when one of her darkest trials, being diagnosed with cancer and later on with ALS, had come her way she never lost sight of God’s promises and she stayed rooted in the Word of God. Her legacy is powerful and she is truly an example of what is it to live by faith.
Her family would like to thank all the nurses, CNA’s, respiratory therapist, janitors and staff at Encino Hospital Subacute for the care and compassion they showed our loved one. She never cared about titles or positions but more so about the character of a person. We are so grateful to have had individuals who were compassionate and kind to her and her family; she valued every interaction and made Room 412 her home and safe place for the last 9 years.
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