Maria Antonia Sanchez

Our precious Maria Antonia Landeros Sanchez peacefully entered into eternal, heavenly rest on September 19th, 2026, listening to the singing of her birds, and surrounded by family.

Just 6 months ago, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a full day celebration, including a mass and party in her honor, in her hometown of Sonora, Texas, where she resided for the last 65 years.

Antonia was born on March 3, 1936 in San Francisco, Coahuila, Mexico to Manuel and Juanita Landeros. At the young age of 15 she moved to Eagle Pass, Texas to work. She brought with her the deep love for her family and traditions.

She married her beloved Enrique Torres Sanchez on January 2, 1961 in Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico and they began their family and legacy in Sonora, Texas which now include 7 children, 17 grandchildren, and 15 (and counting) great-grandchildren.

The love and service of God was evident through Antonia’s heart and hands. She served many in Sonora, diligently, tirelessly, and without complaint.

Antonia’s presence was marked by her devotion to God and her family. Through her Catholic faith she prayed daily for all, turning to God, the Virgin Mary, and the saints to protect and bless her loved ones. When asked what she was most proud of in this life she said that it was the faith that her children came to know.

She delighted in being home with her birds, working on prized embroidery projects for loved ones, and taking extraordinary care of her flower and vegetable gardens. Those who knew Antonia knew her generosity and warmth of spirit that was shared with all through her cooking and baking. It wasn’t just her family blessed enough to enjoy all she made. Many from Sonora ordered tortillas, ojarascas, and more, to be enjoyed regularly, as well as shipped all across the country for special occasions. She took great pride in gifting her baked goods to the Guadalupanas and the Catholic Church for fundraisers.

She helped to raise many of her grandchildren and her role as mother and grandmother extended to many others throughout her lifetime.

For 65 years she was the center of her family, their matriarch. Antonia, along with her late husband Enrique, carved a monumental path for their children and later generations, setting daily examples of what it meant to take care of one another. They instilled in them the love and faith of God, the relentless ambition, “hay que seguir adelante,” and the precious value of family. The gifts and blessings of their faith, love, and devotion will live on fiercely in all who they touched.

Antonia is survived by her sister Josefa Landeros Martinez (Francisco) and sister-in-law Olga Sanchez.

She leaves behind her beloved children Enrique (Elena), David, Fermin (Gaye), Ismael (Palmira), Ricardo, Alicia (Jerry), and Alma (Ricardo); Her grandchildren Nicole (Chris), Michele (Adam), Zachary, Amanda (Daniel), Stacy, Michael (Nancy), Katrina, Jacob, Yolanda (Mikey), Monica, Kristy, Isabella (Cesar), Adan (Isela), Emily, Ariana, Andres and Joaquin; Her great-grandchildren, Malachi, Myah, Urijah, Alexia, Eliyanah, Ellah, Hudson, Emma, Megan, Camila, Olivia, Elijah, Emery, Eliseo, and Ryden.

St Ann’s Catholic Church was dear to Antonia, and to honor her memory, donations can be made to the St Ann’s Catholic Church Guadalupanas Society.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 27th, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, at Harper-Welch Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. The Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Monday, September 28th, at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Sonora, Texas. Burial will follow at Sonora Cemetery.

“...Ya los pajaritos cantan 

La luna ya se metió.”