Jean Marie Sanchez

Jean Marie Sanchez peacefully passed away at her home of 63 years on Sunday July 6, 2025. Jean was the only child of Anthony and Marie Lopez and was born at their home in Pacific Grove on June 15, 1933. She had a wonderful childhood spending many happy hours at her parents’ store, Central Grocery, on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, skating at her uncle Manuel Lopez’s skating rink, Del Monte Gardens, and enjoying weekends at the family cabin on the Carmel River. Jean attended Bayview Elementary School, Monterey High School and Monterey Peninsula College. In 1946, Central Grocery hired Eugene “Tod” Sanchez as a stock boy. In February of 1949, Tod and Jean began dating and on July 12, 1953, they were married at St. Angeles Church. Jean and Tod had three children, and Jean was a very involved mother, sewing ballet costumes, cheering leading uniforms and bridesmaid dresses. She was an avid quilter making many gifts for friends and family. She was also a Girl Scout Leader, was a member of The Lighthouse Keepers service organization and volunteered with the AT&T Pro Am for over twenty years serving on the uniform distribution committee which was chaired by Tod. Jean was an amazing cook and hostess, creating a welcoming home that Tod designed in Monterey in 1962. Jean worked for ten years for the Diocese of Monterey when she decided to retire to help take care of her grandchildren. In their retirement years, Tod and Jean traveled the world visiting over thirty-three countries. Many of these trips were with dear friends.

We always say that no one is perfect, but Jean was close to it. Her dedication to her family and friends was like no other and we are all so lucky to have had her as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. We also want to thank the loving care givers who helped to care for Jean these last six years, Heidi, Mayra, Rukhmani, and Angel. We are truly blessed to have had these wonderful women help care for Jean.

Jean is survived by her husband of 72 years, Eugene “Tod” Sanchez, children Marsha Leadingham (Dave), Cynthia Windsor (Keith) and Steven Sanchez (Julie), grandchildren Valerie Hill (Ken), Brian Leadingham (Alyssa) Kelly Sanchez (Audrey), Claire Sanchez (Daniel) and Alison Windsor as well as great grandchildren Maxim Hill, Ginny Sanchez, and Everly Leadingham. Funeral Mass will be held at San Carlos Church on Thursday, August 7 at 10:00am. Mission Mortuary will oversee the service. Donations can be made in Jean’s memory to Hospice of the Central Coast, 30 Ryan Court Ste 250, Monterey, CA 93940 or San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church Street, Monterey, CA 93940.