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Ernestina Sanchez, born on December 28, and left this world for the gates of Heaven on January 27, 2001. Born in Jarales in 1912 to Fidelis Castillo Sanchez and Nicolas P. Sanchez and the oldest of eight children. She follows her parents, her two sisters, Eutimia and Estanislada, and her brothers, Julio, Richard, and Guillermo to Jesus in Heaven. She began her teaching career after she graduated from Belen High School teaching a summer class in Silver City, NM. Her father quite his poorly paid job at the State Convention since the law allowed only one government job to a family during the depression and became a farmer. He wanted Ernestina to continue her profession as a teacher. Ernestina gave all her earnings to her family to help them all survive the depression. Her first assignment was in Seboyeta, NM and Grants, NM was next. These were all one room, multi-grade schools. Later, she taught for many years in the Belen Public Schools and became a principal at the Jarales School. During that time, principals taught a classroom and ran the school. Much of her teaching career, she took classes to get her BA and later her Masters Degree in Education. She taught and influenced many students over her thirty-year career. She was known to be a remarkable, excellent, caring teacher and principal. After retiring, she continued to be actively involved with other charities and organizations. She was also an active member with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was very active with Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. She was an extraordinary minister and volunteered her services every Sunday until she became disabled. She preformed many other jobs with the church including a principalship for St. Mary's Parochial School in Belen. She was a world traveler visiting such places as Europe, The Holy Lands, Alaska, and Tahiti. She shared her travels and knowledge with her students through photography. She was an artist involved in the Belen Senior Citizen Center and an active member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Society until she died. She was a part of Belen's history, a historian in her own right about the history and people of Belen and surrounding areas. She was generous, kind, and good. She was very loved and will be missed greatly by her two surviving brothers, Edward Sanchez of Albuquerque; Guillermo Sanchez of CA; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. at Romero Funeral Home, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with Interment in Our Lady of Belen Catholic Cemetery. May God's love, kindness, and protection follow her to the mansion especially prepared for her by Jesus, as promised to each of us in the New Testament. There will be a reception to honor her in Belen's Parish Hall after the services. Romero Funeral Home, Belen, NM.
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