Virginia Laura Sanchez

Angels sang as Virginia “Gini” Laura Sanchez, 81 of Converse, Texas, peacefully returned to her Heavenly father on May 30, 2025. Virginia was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, devoted Sister, wonderful Aunt and dear Friend to many. Virgina’s Love and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ carried her throughout her life. Born and raised a Catholic, the teachings of His Love and Mercy flowed through her Heart to be shared with everyone she encountered. She embodied His examples of Kindness, Empathy and Charity.

Virginia was born to Benjamin and Aurelia Syring on October 28, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the second eldest daughter behind her loving teacher, Annie. Together they cared for her other three sisters: Schatze, Marti, and Mary and nine brothers: Nick, Herb, Art, Ben Jr., Tony, Joe, Steven, Jerry, and James. While born into humble beginnings, she was rich with Family, Faith, and Love, creating a strong foundation for the rest of her life.

As soon as she could stand, Virginia, like her sisters, began helping their mother Aurelia at the Hill Country Café. The work was tough for a child, but Virginia found a love of family, food, and service. Pursuing this vision would eventually develop into a career in a professional kitchen at a skilled nursing facility. She loved her work and excelled at it. Putting smiles on the residents’ faces and developing her own recipes that would later come down to making the best cinnamon sweet rice ever made. A staple to those who knew and loved her. She eventually was promoted to become a Case Management Liaison, coordinating resources for Home Health Care, and assisting in the final respects of Hospice Care. She spent the entirety of her professional life in the service of others.

Virginia’s Faith in God and Service called her to serve on multiple different Catholic organizations including St. John Newman Prayer Group Core Member, St. Thomas Moore Prayer Group Leader, St. Peter and Paul Prayer Group Member, St. John the Evangelist Prayer Group Member and St. Andres School of Evangelization New Life Retreats Home Based Community Member. Her love of Jesus and Catholicism brought her to be a great missionary, serving for over 30 years in these and other divine ordinations. She also led family prayer groups, ministering to those she loved the most. In addition, she served as an ACTS member for several years organizing retreats and renewing personal relationships with the Lord. She went on to become a full Lector and Eucharistic Minister within the Church, spreading the Great News of Jesus Christ. A Redeemer. His Love. A New Hope.

Virginia also enjoyed spending time playing games. She was a worthy adversary, at times a bit Spicy, and a fanatical Spider Solitaire hero. She loved Skip-Bo, Yahtzee or “Blow It,” Mahjong, and Bejeweled. She was a fierce competitor but always made it fun for everyone. She also kept candy stashes of Blow-pops and Fun-dips hidden in her room to be passed out keeping the smiles “Big” for all the kids.

In the end, Virginia was always the epitome of His Comforting Love. She showed Faith, Hope, Kindness, and Compassion to everyone she met. She never judged anyone as less and always had a special place in her Heart for the Lost. She passed away peacefully knowing that she was returning to Jesus’ Open Arms. To His Arms, like her own modeled from Him, filled with love and peace. There was never a doubt she would rest in His Heart. Just as all of us were placed into Hers. The kind of love that can only be shared by a Mother. A Grandmother. A Great Grandmother. A Sister. An Aunt. A Friend.

She is preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Sr. and Aurelia Syring, sons Curtis and James Cooper, Nicolas Sanchez Jr, Carlos J. Sanchez, daughter-in-law Rosemary Sanchez, and grandson Jason Garza, sister Angeline Timmerman, brothers Nicolaus Syring, Herbert Syring, Benjamin Syring Jr., and Joesph Syring.

She is survived by her children Carol Cooper, Karen Lievre (James), Kimberly Sanchez, Randy Sanchez, and Patricia Sanchez, 24 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, siblings Aurthur (Vena), Schatze (Robert), Martha, Stephen, Jerome, Mary, and James (Patty), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held in honor of Virginia on Sunday June 8th, 2025 at Puente and Sons Funeral Home 14315 Judson Rd. San Antonio, Tx 78233 from 4pm to 8pm, with the rosary starting at 6pm. A mass to celebrate Virginia’s Life will be held on Monday June 9th, 2025 at St. Monica Catholic Church 501 North St. Converse, Tx 78109 at 12pm.