Geraldine Mary Sanchez

Geraldine Mary Sanchez, 58, of Othello, died Sunday April 12, 2009, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Geraldine was born on Aug. 3, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jake and Ella Mae Williams Braziel. At the age of 13 she moved with her family to Ritzville, Wash., where she graduated from high school.

After high school Geraldine moved to Moses Lake and attended Big Bend Community College. She moved to Othello in 1977 and went to work for Chef Ready. She met José Sanchez in 1980. They married on March 22, 1980. Their union was sealed in 2005 at the Columbia River Temple. Her health forced her retirement from McCain Foods in 1995. She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1980 and belonged to the Othello 3rd Ward.

Geraldine was foremost a wife and mother her family was extremely important to her. She had an extended family that she helped raise, her cousins, nieces, friends and many other children she helped called her mom. She had many interests in her life, crafting, knitting, creating new deserts and snacks for everyone to enjoy, she liked to go camping and fishing with her children and José. She enjoyed music, especially country and oldies, and would share them with family and friends via her karaoke machine.

Geraldine will be remembered as a straightforward, honest woman. She always let people know where they stood. Her door was always open to anyone.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Raymond, a daughter Nicole, a granddaughter Christa and a grandson Jesus. She is survived by her husband José of Othello, a son Avis (Sue Ellen Estes) Braziel of Moses Lake, two daughters Laconda (Gilberto Salmeron) Braziel and Anita Plancarte both of Othello, sisters Audrey Hargrow and Eleanore Schaekr, brothers Jacob and Horace Braziel, 19 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Sunday, April 18, 2009, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. and will continue on Monday from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the Relief Society Room of the Seventh Avenue Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A celebration of Geraldine’s life will be held at the church at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2009. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel of Othello. To sign the guest book and leave a note for the family visit www.stevensfuneralchapel.com.