Elsie Sanchez

Sanchez-Elsie Sanchez of Albuquerque, died February 5 at her home after a long illness. Elsie Sanchez was born in Mora County, New Mexico to Maclovio and Victoria Fresques. Her family moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1923, where she attended Wyoming schools. She moved to Lamy, New Mexico in 1939, and to Albuquerque in 1940. Elsie was licensed as a Registered Midwife in 1946 and delivered babies in the home until 1985. She was the first licensed, registered midwife in the state. Over the years, she delivered nearly 2000 babies. Until declining health made it impossible, she maintained contact with many of her "families", and often received graduation and wedding invitations, and birth announcements from children she had delivered. She did a variety of work during her lifetime, including custodial, sales, office, medical secretarial, and truck driving. In 1949, she graduated from the Chicago School of Nursing as an LPN. She also attended Western School for Private Secretaries until it closed, and continued at Draughtons Business College, where she got her diploma. Her last position prior to retirement was with the New Mexico Department of Human Services, where she was employed for 25 years. In 1975, Elsie received a "Distinguished Woman of New Mexico" award, an award presented to women who at that time were making notable contributions in a variety of fields ranging from the arts to sports and professional work. In 2005, she was recognized by MANA, the Midwife Allience of North America, for her service as a Midwife. She was loved and respected by many, and will be greatly missed. She is survived by a daughter Elma M. (Joey) Tudesque, Kokomo, Indiana; sister, Stella F. Schilla, of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren Lillian Maestas and husband George, Miquelle Sanchez, and Emilio Tapia, Albuquerque, Shelly Brafford and husband Michael, Joseph Sonafrank and wife Anita, Laura Fortson and husband Eric, and Lanai Taylor, Kokomo, Indiana; twenty-two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Maclovio and Victoria Fresques; brother Alex Fresques and sister, Helen Fresques Mestas, of Rock Springs, Wyoming; brother Mack Fresques of Phoenix, Arizona; brothers Alex Fresques and Fred Fresques, and sister Rose Freques Dinelli, of Albuquerque; son Ernest M. Sanchez, and daughters Rose Tudesque Alexander and Juanita Tudesque Taylor. The family prefers in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the UNM Foundation for College of Nursing Midwifery Program Fund and sent to UNM Foundation, Inc., 700 Lomas Blvd/Two Woodward Center, Albuquerquem, NM 87102; the New Mexico Midwives Association, P O Box 40647, Albuquerque, NM 87196, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Elsie's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Service 3113 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 884-1188