Cecilia “Sally” Sanchez
It is with great sadness that we share that our mom, Sally, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025. As we reflect on her life, there are words that seem to resonate – one of a kind, pillar of strength, backbone of the family, bigger than life; patriotic; and spicy (like her margaritas). She was all these things and more.
With her passing, we are at the end of an era. Sally was the matriarch of our family. She was a strong, independent woman, who wasn’t shy about sharing her thoughts. Guided by her faith and values, she has left an indelible legacy for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was larger than life and all that knew her were shaped by her love and strength. We are who we are because of her.
Our beloved mom was born on November 2, 1934, to Jose Carmen and Francisca (Hernandez) Jaramillo in El Paso, Texas. She was proud to be from Texas. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was young, and she later moved to Santa Barbara after getting married.
Sally had several jobs including working at Kimberly Clarke and Vero, serving as a certified nurse’s aide at Goleta Valley Hospital and St. Francis Hospital, housekeeper at Our Lady of Guadalupe, and working as an in-home assistant to elderly patients. Mom also went back to school and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. With all of this, her most prized “job” was being a mom, grandma, and great grandma. She valued her family and her Catholic faith above all.
Married to Bob Sanchez of Santa Barbara, they were blessed with a large family. Sally is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Chavela ‘Isabel’ Casas and Martha Jaramillo; brother and sister-in-law Melquiades and Socorro Jaramillo; husband Bob; sons Matt, Keith, and Tim; and grandson Isaiah. Needless to say, she had a large welcoming committee as she arrived at the Pearly Gates.
She is survived by Antoinette (Richard) Munoz, Dawn Sanchez, Renee Sanchez, James (Tonya) Sanchez, Karen (Luc) Bamberger, grandchildren: Adriana, Manuel (Priscila), Matt (Leah), Josh (Monica), Daniel (Olivia), Amber, Tim, Elijah (Melina), Cici (Nico), Richie (Alisha), Jacob (Isa), Santana, Aaron, Aramis, Els, and Eero; great grandchildren: Arianna, Brianna, AJ, Camila, Matthew, Joshua (Jr.), Leilani, Kiana, Giuliana, Selena, Isabella, Athaliah, Manuel, Malachi Keith, Matthias, Lilly, Makena, Riley, Isaiah, Brooks, Josiah, Alessia, Giuseppe, Gianna, Haley, Orion, Sana, Bear; her sister Lily Lugo, numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.
Sally’s legacy will be felt for generations. Whether it is going to church and having a strong faith, celebrating the holidays together, cooking something new (or from Julia Child’s cookbook), or having a spicy margarita and living life to the fullest, the values she instilled are indelible. Though she has left us physically, her imprint will last forever.
She was devoted to God, the Virgin Mary, and all the saints. Her faith in Jesus gave her the resilience, courage, peace, and comfort to handle some of the most difficult life events one can possibly endure. She will be missed greatly by so many.
We are forever grateful for the care she received in her last days from the staff at Serenity House. Their care helped ease the transition in her last days before transitioning to Heaven. Finally, we want to thank you – family and friends – for the outpouring of prayers and love during this time.
Details for the funeral services are as follows: Friday, June 27 – Viewing and rosary will take place at Welch-Ryce-Haider (on Sola), doors open at 5 PM and rosary begins at 6 PM; Saturday, June 28 – Funeral mass will take place at Mt. Carmel Church at 2 PM with a reception following, Monday, June 30 – Catholic burial services will be held at Calvary Cemetery at 11 AM.
