Petra Ruelas Sanchez

Petra Ruelas Sanchez was born on October 23, 1927 in Delano, CA. She passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016, to be with the Lord as she was surrounded by friends and family, at her home in Fresno, CA. She was 88 years old.

She was a wonderful, caring, kind, generous, and hardworking mother. She was the foundation of her entire family and was unwavering in her Catholic faith. She grew up during the depression and worked alongside her family in the fields picking fruit and cotton as a farm worker. She felt a calling to enter the convent to become a nun at 13 years old but got homesick after a year and returned home. She later married Mario Sanchez at the age of 23 and moved to the San Fernando Valley to raise her family.

Throughout her life she experienced many difficult and challenging times, but had an inner strength that pulled her through. Her faith and love of her family were always her inspiration that allowed her to maintain a cheerful and positive attitude, even during her final illness and the many difficult circumstances she faced.

She has been, and always will be the "rock" of her entire family. She was dearly loved and will be missed by her family and the many friends that she made throughout her life.

WE LOVE YOU MOM!!

Petra is survived by her husband of 65 years, Mario Sanchez; her nine children, AnnaMarie Vasquez, Sally Carmona, Mario Sanchez Jr., Rosie Sanchez, Irene Caruso, Patricia Diaz, Peter Sanchez, Johnny Sanchez, Charles Sanchez; and 75 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 E. Saginaw Way, Fresno on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Helen's Catholic Church, 4870 E. Belmont Ave, Fresno, on Saturday March 5, 2016 at 12:00 noon Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, 264 N. Blythe Ave, Fresno.