Obituary of Rafaela Sanchez-Zayas

Rafaela Sanchez-Zayas, age 103 of Cherry Hill, formerly of Pennsauken and Puerto Rico, passed away at VITAS Hospice in Stratford on November 22, 2016. The life of Rafaela began on July 24, 1913 in the Collores neighborhood of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, born to Juan Zayas Pagan and Inez Cruz Rosado. She was number 4 of 10 children….all girls! In 1932, she married Pedro Sanchez Toro and together had 11 children whose names are Hector Luis (deceased), Pedro "Pedrito", Maria Virginia "Virgin", Victor Manuel "Vito", Rafael, Lydia Esther "Liya", Luis Alberto "Guibel", Violeta "Viole", Luz Leyda "Lale", Rosita "Rosin", and Pedro Manuel "Nene". Rafaela raised her children primarily on her own. She endured many hardships and even greater struggles; nonetheless, she did everything within her means possible to protect the livelihood of her family. In addition to her children, she is survived by her 39 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, great great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Rafaela was very likeable and sociable. She was a devout Catholic and a member of Santiago-Apostle Church in Santa Isabel for almost 20 years. She relocated to Camden, New Jersey and established herself as a member of Holy Name Church in Camden for another 15 years. She was a member of the Sisterhood of the Sacred Heart, loved music and enjoyed dancing. Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Sunday from 6 to 8 PM and Monday from 9 to 10 AM at Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 North Browning Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Church of Mary, Queen of All Saints, 4824 Camden Avenue in Pennsauken. Interment will follow at Locustwood Memorial Park in Cherry Hill.