Felicita "Bette" Jane Sanchez

Felicita †œBette†� Jane Quintana Sanchez, a resident of Denver, Colorado, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Collier Hospice in Wheat Ridge. Bette was born to Delphino and Aurora (Lujan) Quintana in Denver on November 8, 1933. She was the fourth child of six siblings that lived to adulthood. She grew up in the family home on Denver†™s west side. After graduating from West Denver High School in 1952, she entered the U.S. Marine Corp alongside her cousin, Charlotte (Lujan) Martinez. She served four years in an administrative role and attained the rank of sergeant. Bette traveled to Washington, D.C. in her military role, followed by a tour of duty in Naples, Italy. During her time in the military she met and married Filomeno Sanchez. They were blessed with three children, James Del, Aldo Gregory, and Maria Jane. Upon returning to Denver, she studied education at Metropolitan State College, earning a Bachelor†™s degree in 1972. She later earned a Master†™s Degree in bilingual education from CU Denver. She was employed as an elementary and bilingual teacher for the Denver Public Schools system from 1973 to 1998. At the time of her retirement she was teaching at Swansea Elementary School, one of the eight schools she served during her 25-year teaching career. After retiring she spent her time tending to her home in West Denver and enjoying the company of her family, particularly her two sisters, Mayme (Maria) and Dolly (Eralia). Additionally, she spent time with her five grandchildren, and, in 2011, she welcomed her first great grandchild followed by four more. She is survived by her three children James (Sylvia), Aldo, Maria (Tom); her five grandchildren, Krystle Sanchez, Andrea Meyer (Brent), James Sanchez Jr. (Jessica), Cassandra Holyk (Jon), Michael Vigil (Kara); her five great grandchildren, Ezra and Uriah Sanchez, Selena and Shane Meyer, and Maddison Vigil; her brother Frank (Gloria) Quintana; her aunt Cleo Madrill; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Maria (Paul) Montano, Eralia (Dario) Garcia, and her brothers Joseph and Jess Quintana.