Katherine Connie Sanchez

Katherine Connie "Shorty" Sanchez peacefully departed this earth at her home on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Integrated Care Communities, Moreno Valley, California. Katherine leaves behind four children: Christine and Weston Sanchez, Ronald and Cynthia Sanchez, Suzanne and Robert Bailey, Arthur and Michelle Sanchez; Grandchildren: Andre "Danny" Vasquez, Michael Sandoval, Jason Bailey, Breanne Juarez, Joscelyn Betancourt, Ashley Sanchez, Thomas Sanchez, AJ Sanchez, Austin Sanchez, Andrew Sanchez, Marissa Sanchez; Great-grandchildren: Reymond, Alexandra, Maddison, Scarlett, Catalina, Josephine, Landon, Jordan, Lincoln, Camila and Isabel; as well as many close family and friends. She was born on May 27, 1933, in Riverside, CA to parents Jess and Guadalupe Avila. The family lived in a small house on Park Avenue before moving to the ever-popular house on 9th Street. She was the fourth of seven children: Rudolf Jess Avila, Rudolf Jess "Rudy" Avila, Maria Luisa "Mary Lou" de la Torre, Gloria Beatrice Avila, and Estella "Stella" Sanchez - all preceding her death, and Gloria Ann "Baby" Vasquez. Before she was married Katherine worked in the Riverside packing houses grading oranges, as well as picking grapes and other fruits and vegetables depending on the season, and having many babysitting jobs after school. Chevelo Sanchez married Katherine Avila, the love of his life, upon returning to the United States after serving in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, on December 20, 1952. Katherine had various jobs after marriage. She was a bookkeeper for many years for both Kirk and Richards Jewelers, both very popular in Riverside at the time. And to make ends meet she also worked as a housekeeper and ironed clothes. But her most important job was that of a homemaker taking care of her husband, keeping the home warm, and raising her children and grandchildren. Chevelo and Kathy shared many of life's pleasures together beyond raising four children at their ranch they called "The Ponderosa". They enjoyed camping, cooking for parties, as well as arts and crafts, which for Katherine included crocheting lap blankets, afghans, and hats for those in need donating them to the Children's Hospital at the Loma Linda University Hospital, to the veterans at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, and various fundraisers for family Mexican dance groups. A memorial service will be held in her honor on December 5, 2021, at 11:00 am at the Thomas Miller Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary, 4933 La Sierra Avenue, Riverside, with a Celebration of Life to follow. Service Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Sunday 12/5, 11:00 am