Lois Dwyer Sanchez

Lois Margaret Dwyer-Sanchez, 66, left her earthly body and became an angel on Thursday, January 6, 2022. She was born on January 9, 1955, in Staten Island, New York to Jack Dwyer and Lois Ochs. She was the beloved mother of Marrissa Sanchez, Jacklynn Sanchez, and Rebecca Sanchez; step-mother of Raymond Sanchez Jr.; and wife of Raymond Sanchez Sr.

Preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Lois, and her brother, Dennis.

Lois loved her work and her play. She had three master’s degrees: an Adaptive Physical Education degree from the University of Tennessee, a 6-year certificate in School Administration, and a master’s in Special Education from UNC in Greeley, Colorado. She traveled all over the world with her best friend, Joanne, and often told us stories about backpacking (and hitchhiking) in other countries.

Joanne introduced her to Ray in the summer of 1978, and the rest is history! Lois and Ray moved in together on February 13, 1979, and were married on July 9, 1988. They loved to socialize, eat and drink, roller skate, and ski. Lois was ecstatic when she got pregnant with Marrissa—our dad says it’s good they didn’t meet earlier because they would have had nine babies instead of three!

Lois worked as a physical education teacher for students with special needs and loved giving back to the community. She spent every Saturday morning volunteering with the Special Olympics.

Lois and her family moved to Colorado in 2003. She loved the mountains (especially Breckenridge) and exploring the state with her family. One day, we got in the car to drive to our brother’s house to do laundry and ended up in Wyoming. Lois loved to adventure and made everything fun.

In 2011, Lois was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Ray took care of her 24/7 and was her favorite person (even if she bit him sometimes and kept him up at night). Her PIA attitude lasted long after she lost the ability to talk and walk. Lois spent the last ten years of her life visiting Breckenridge twice a year, skiing until she couldn’t, taking long walks, going for drives in her Jaguar, and listening to a lot of music + dancing with Ray. She also loved spending time with her daughters (we all got matching tattoos!) and her granddog, Corona.

We love you endlessly, mommy. Keep turning the radio on for us!

There will be a small service for immediate family members only on Friday, January 14, 2022. The family will notify loved ones about Lois’s celebration of life on Sunday, February 13, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, please call your mom, take a friend out for a Guinness, and send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.