Luz Alano Sanchez

On January 20th 2017, my mom, Luz Alano Sanchez, peacefully passed away at the age of 87. Mom was born on June 13, 1929 to Diogracias Alano and Mercedes Junatas, in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan Philippines. Grandpa Alano passed away when mom was a very young girl, preceded in death by an infant son. Grandma Mercedes remarried prior to World War II (Grandpa Andy) and in the following years, Auntie Nena, Uncle Pepe and Uncle Ernesto, were born. With the outbreak of World War II, the young family was forced from their home and were constantly on the move, as the Japanese had invaded the Philippines. I always enjoyed hearing mom's stories of that time in her life. It was a history lesson from someone who experienced the war firsthand and who just happened to be my mother. She was always teaching me, even when I didn't realize it. Thankfully, the family survived the war unscathed and mom finished High School, graduating in 1948 from Daniel Maramba National High School. Always eager to learn, mom continued her education at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, majoring in Elementary Education. After graduation, mom came home to Santa Barbara to begin her teaching career. Oh how she loved being a teacher. Having personally heard from several of her students and fellow teachers, it was clear that mom's students loved her. Strict but fair, and always willing to provide extra help to any student that needed it, mom flourished in her career. She taught until 1966, which is when she and dad married. Moving to the states was difficult at first as she had to leave her family behind in the Philippines. We would go back every couple years to visit Grandma and family. Having been born and raised in a tropical climate, it was difficult getting used to the winter months here in Washington. But her new adventure as wife and mother (I came along in 1967) took her mind off the cold weather. She was such a devoted wife and mother and took such good care of dad and I. I couldn't have asked for a better mother or role model. Almost as much as she loved her family and Catholic faith, mom loved flowers and gardening. Mom and dad always made sure we had a robust vegetable garden each summer, along with beautiful flowers of all kinds. Flowers outside, flowers inside the house, they were everywhere. I remember how I would incur her wrath if a stray baseball, basketball, or football, would find its way into her flower beds. I never thought I would miss the sound of her voice, screaming "Richieeeeeeee", as she would find evidence of me playing ball too close to her flower beds, but I do. Oh how I miss her. She may be gone, but never to be forgotten, mom will live on in our hearts, and I know I will see her and dad, again one day. Thank you for everything mom, you're the best! I love you dearly.......Richie. I would also like to express my love, appreciation, and gratitude to: Suzie, Grace, Our family here in the States and Philippines: The Alano's, Calaguio's, Parayno's, Tuliao's, and some of the best friends a person could ever have.