Andrea Garza Sanchez

Andrea Garza Sanchez, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on September 9, 2021. Andrea was born on September 20, 1941 in Santa Rosa, Texas to the late Mateo and Maria deJesusa Garza. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Merrill, Michigan with the class of 1960. She met her beloved husband, Felipe, while attending church at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Merrill, Michigan. They dated and were united in marriage on September 2, 1961. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Andrea’s career began working with the migrant worker’s program through the Breckenridge School system and then eventually as a secretary for the Breckenridge Public Schools. She was employed with the Gratiot County Friend of the Court for 20 years working as a court mediator. She also served on the Gratiot County Mental Health board. Her last position was administrative assistant with the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw before her retirement in 2006. She found enjoyment in sewing, reading, spending time with her family, taking family vacations, baking and cooking and playing board games; especially Scrabble and challenging the next competitor. Andrea loved shoe shopping and never passed up a chance to check out the latest fashion in shoes. (She loved her heels!) She spent many summers on Lake Mitchell in Cadillac and then wintering in the Florida sunshine. Music and dancing were one of her happiest moments. In the earlier years, she and Felipe would go to dances and dance all evening. In the winter months residing in Florida, she would look forward to her daily dinner outings and ending the evenings listening to music and dancing at The Villages. Above all, her family was her priority and world. She loved and cherished her husband, children and grandchildren. Andrea’s grandchildren, Tyler and Alexis, were deeply loved and they were her heart and joy. She enjoyed the special spanish conversations with her granddaughter, Jenilee and the tightly wrapped hugs received from Chase, Délyon, and Syler.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Covenant VNA Hospice for all the love, care and dignity, they provided for Andrea and the family as well as her loving “extra special” nurse, niece Leena.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Felipe Sanchez, a daughter and two sons: Debora (Jeff) Sanchez, Steven (Julie) Sanchez and Richard Sanchez; grandchildren: Tyler Sanchez and Alexis Sanchez, Jenilee, Chase, Délyon and Syler. Siblings: Adela (Nick) Locanto, Mary (Leonard) Gutierrez and Luis Garza (Gloria) along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by four sisters and a brother: Lucille, Irene, Margaret, Elida and Leandro.

Friends are welcome to visit the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw Street, Merrill, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A private funeral service will take place on Wednesday at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 419 S. Midland Street, Merrill. Rev. Fr. Michael F. Steltenkamp S.J. will officiate. Private burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Covenant VNA Hospice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.casefuneralhome