Sally Sanchez-Hensley

Sally Sanchez-Hensley passed from this life to be with Jesus on May 8, 2024, at the age 90. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, granddaughter Nataly Valdez, and her siblings. Affectionately known as “Sarita” in her childhood, and later as “Mom Sal” or “Tia”, was born August 26, 1933, to Josepha (Gallegos) Sanchez and Bernardo M. Sanchez, in Tapiacitas, Rio Arriba County, NM. Sally was a life-long resident of New Mexico, and a long-time resident of Farmington. 

 Sally grew up in Tapiacitas before moving to Santa Fe to attend and graduate from Santa Fe High School. In later years, Sally worked full-time managing businesses and attending college, while raising three daughters. Sally attended and graduated from the Intensive Secretarial Training Program at San Juan College. After finishing the program, she was employed by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and was in charge of the Summer Youth Program and had many duties within the agency. Sally was later employed by the Farmington Daily Times until she retired to help with her grandchildren. 

 Sally will be remembered for her devout faith in God and her love for the Catholic Church and for her family. She will be deeply missed by all and especially by her grandchildren, she had a special relationship with each one, they adored her and looked to her as their rock. She showed her love in many ways, especially through her prayers and cooking. When Mom Sal made her famous tortillas, we tasted the love she made them with. 

 Sally is survived by sisters Ursula, Doris, and Leah; sister in-laws Mrs. Josie Sanchez and Mrs. Kathy Sanchez; daughters Sharon Nolan, BJ Martin and Lilly Gross; grandchildren: MaryAnn, Leo Warren Jr., Laura Martin, Bliss Martin, Levi Shelton, Leigh-Ann Douglass, Heather Umphress, Sally Shelton, Dillon Martin, Jesse Gross, and Samantha Douglass; fifteen great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

 A special thank you to nieces, Mrs. Betty Chavez and Mrs. Cecelia Stover, and all those who spent time with her at the nursing home. 

 A funeral mass and celebration of Sally’s life is planned for the summer of 2025.