Catherine E Sanches

Catherine Elaine Francis Sanches, 79, of Loxahatchee, FL, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 6, 2020. Cathy was born April 28, 1941 in New York City to Thomas Douglas Francis and Margaret Elizabeth McIntosh Francis. She married Joseph Monteiro Sanches on February 4, 1961. From that marriage three children were born, Dr. Lisa Marie Sanches-Guerin, Joseph Monteiro Sanches and Louis Monteiro Sanches. Despite being widowed at an early age, Cathy tirelessly and unselfishly poured herself into her children and raised all three to be successful adults shattering the stereotype of a single mother raising children alone in Harlem during the 1970s and 1980s. For her entire life, Cathy was a wonderful nurturer as was evident by her love and care for her extended family and friends and her many years as an attentive registered nurse at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, and nurse and manager for other private practices including her daughter's medical practice. She leaves us to cherish her loving spirit and she will remain in all our hearts. Dementia is a terrible disease, but it is one you might see coming. Cathy knew she was having trouble remembering things, so she started a letter to her family which we completed for her in the following obituary. "To all I have loved and those who have loved me, With special and heart full love for my three wonderful children Lisa, Joseph and Louis, their wives Marie (Joe), Shawna (Louis) and husband Fred (Lisa). All of my grandchildren: Nina, Asil, Sarah, Esan, Zavania, Jordan, Jason, Camille, Melody, Nathaniel, Gabriel, and Sophia, my great grandchildren: Ariana and Tristan, previous daughter-in-law Maria and her children Gabriella and Junior and spouse Gary, I love you all; as well as the numerous relatives I have cared for always – my mother Margaret and father Thomas Francis (both deceased), my brother Thomas and sister Desiree with their spouses Delores, Junius and Charles (deceased) and their children Nia, Tyrone, Chasiree, Charles (CJ) and their spouses Max, Johanna, Terin and Nikita, respectively. My sister Sarah (deceased) and her children Calvin and Carl (both deceased), Curtis, Cedric and Cheryl and their spouses and children. My brother Michael and sister Barbara (both deceased) and her children David and Sophia (both deceased). My in-laws Barbara and Beatrice (both deceased) and Louis and their children. My aunts, uncles and their children on both sides of my parents. I had a wonderful relationship with all my family members. Please know, that although I have not been as verbal and present, my love for all has been continuous in my mind and heart. I also had wonderful and loving concerns for very close friends, lovers, coworkers, etc. throughout my life – in particular, a close friend now too soon gone – 1995, Carol Manigault, I will soon meet again. Please note: Shed only happy tears for me. My soul's at peace and free." Below is an untitled poem our mom wrote to all she loved and loved her. My love is always where you are, I'm in the shine you see in every star, In the ray of sun that starts your day, And gives you hope and support along the way. The beauty of a perfect rose, The quiet calm of winter snow, The song that every robin sings, The gentle wind beneath its wings, The color of falling leaves, I'm in everything your heart believes. Shed only happy tears for me, My soul has touched eternity. May you find peace in the thought that your loved one will always be with you, and in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. Love You All, Cathy "Elaine" Sanches "Francis" Upcoming Events We are planning a memorial Celebration of Life to honor her on Saturday, September 26th in the West Palm Beach Florida area. Details are not yet complete. Her obituary is listed on the website of The Palms West Funeral Home & Crematory, www.palmswestfuneralhome.com. Feel free to share your memories on that site as well as on the family Facebook pages. Please refrain from sending any flowers at this time. Cards/acknowledgements can be sent to: The Sanches Family, 11162 Winding Pearl Way, Wellington FL 33414-8837, as we'd like to share them during the Celebration of Life. If you wish to make a charitable donation in her name, we recommend the Alzheimer's Association – www.alz.org, select donate, indicate if it is a monthly or one-time gift and indicate if it is a tribute gift. You can then indicate the honoree name. We plan to make accommodations for family and friends to participate in at least part of the celebration of her life via Zoom. If you are planning to attend the memorial in person, please let us know by sending your RSVP to JosephMSanches@gmail.com no later than Sunday, September 13th. Your assistance will help us determine the headcount for planning purposes. In addition, if you are travelling to the West Palm Beach area, we may be able to recommend some places to stay (local Airbnb or hotel).