Petra Sanchez

Edcouch - Petra was born in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Gregorio Cobos and Maria Natividad Landeros on September 9, 1938. She was nurtured during her infancy by her grandmother, Concepcion Landeros, as her mother passed away right after she was born. Petra was the youngest of three children born to Gregorio and Maria Natividad. Amelia and Luis were her older siblings. Gregorio emigrated to Texas with his children in 1948, and they resided in Edcouch. The family worked in the fields picking fruits and vegetables, and it was while working in those fields that she met the love of her life: Mayolo Sanchez Medellin.

They had a 5 year courtship, and finally got married in a civil ceremony in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico on February 1, 1955. Petra’s grandmother, Concepcion, was living in Reynosa at the time so they ran off to get married there. Petra and Mayolo then received the sacrament of marriage at St. Theresa Catholic Church on March 1, 1955. Because the church had burned down shortly before their wedding, they actually got married in the temporary building next to the local post office on Santa Rosa Ave. Petra was 17 years old at the time of their wedding, and she and Mayolo made their home in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Petra cleaned, cooked, sewed, and managed her household carefully. She sewed her children’s clothes using an old singer pedal sewing machine and flour sack fabric. One of her most beautiful creations was Juanita’s First Communion dress; a neighbor donated the lining of her daughter’s wedding dress so Petra could dress her eldest daughter in white for the special occasion. She also canned everything, saving up for those lean times. Everything was saved because it was never known when it would be needed. The family was reusing and recycling before it was in fashion.

She worked most of her life alongside her husband at the Tortilleria, and migrated during the summer months to Michigan and Ohio to pick tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers.  The family moved from Edcouch in 1983 and finally settled in Leander, Texas.  She retired as a custodian from the Leander School District and came back to Edcouch in 2009.

Life for them resumed as if they had never left: Petra and Mayolo went to mass, and Petra went to all the bingos while Mayolo waited outside for her. She participated in all the church activities. On April 1 9, 2 0 1 9, Petra even walked to La Villa and back during the annual Stations of the Cross. The entire church community was amazed at her devotion and willpower since she had long since required a walker to assist her.

She was blessed with a loving and devoted husband. Mayolo loved and protected her; provided for her; built her a home that she could call her own; made her happy with his songs and music; energized her when he danced with her; gave her hope when he held her hand; and romanced her when he came home with a burger from Mikito. And it is because of him, and all he did for her, that her children can rest assured that she lived a good life. Petra and Mayolo’s lives continue in their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Petra is survived by her loving husband, Mayolo (Mayo) Sanchez, 10 children, Juanita (Mayo) Borrego, Guadalupe Sanchez, Diana (Moises) Sandoval,  Criselda Sanchez, Heriberto (Belinda) Sanchez, Maria Natividad (Leo) Molina, Yolanda (Ismael) Saenz, Francisco (Margaret) Sanchez, Micaela ( + Eddie) Ayala, and Michael Sanchez. Also surviving are 37 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-children.

Viewing will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. at Cardoza Funeral Home Chapel. Viewing will continue Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa of The Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Edcouch. Interment will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco, TX.

Cardoza Funeral Home of Edcouch is in charge of funeral arrangements.