Orlin Roybal-Sanchez

Orlin Roybal Sanchez a.k.a.”Nana", 88, of Pilar, NM went to be with the Lord on March 21, 2024. Orlin was born on August 4, 1935, to Wilfredo and Adelinda Roybal of El Rancho, NM. She attended school in Pojoaque and was the FFA Princess and Snowball Queen. She was a Breast Cancer Survivor. Orlin loved to embroider, read, laugh, and have fun. She was an excellent storyteller, and she was a character always doing the funniest things. She lived to celebrate holidays and birthdays. Her tortillas were the BEST…and will be missed! Orlin began her career in pharmacy in Santa Fe at the Coronado Pharmacy. She later worked at Pueblo Drugs in Espanola. She always took time to say ‘hello’ to the customers and always showed genuine concern for others. Orlin knew everyone in Espanola and the surrounding communities.

On October 19, 2003, Orlin married her beloved Gilbert Sanchez. They were made for each other. If Gilbert could grow it…Orlin could roast it, pickle it, or bake it.

Preceded in death were her husband Gilbert Sanchez, her son Leo Louis Roybal, her parents Wilfredo & Adelinda Roybal, her in-laws Aaron & Onita Sanchez, her stepdaughter Susan Work-Paulson, her siblings, Ben Roybal, Gloria Molina Baca, Ramos Roybal, Dorothy Roybal Trujillo, her granddaughter Michelle Lucero, her great grandson Samuel Gordon, and her first husband John Work. 

Orlin is survived by her children Mike Slade (Philomena) and Victoria Work (Alfred Baca); Stepson Steven Work, special grandson and caretaker Leo Roybal; her brothers Johnny (Olivia), Gerald (Josie), and Aniver; her sisters Dolores Goding (Michael) and Joann Garcia; her grandchildren John Chavez, Reina Chavez, Desiree Roybal, Angela Loftus (David, Sr.), Chris Slade, Amy Molinar (Hector), and Harvey(Mariah) Velasquez; Jeanette Phillips; Richard, Jeffrey and Sarah Paulson, and Daughter-in-law, Monica Valdez, her great grandchildren Raquel, Stanley, Remedy and Rome Trujillo; Angel, Ruben, Jeffrey, and Deja Loretto; Marissa Anaya, David Loftus, Jr.; Oliver, Caden, Kaylee, and Mikayla Slade; and great-granddaughter Annalee Larranaga and great grandson Byron Paulson and many other nieces and nephews and her guera Laura Hitt.

We would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to Leo Roybal for leaving his career and friends behind in Santa Fe to move to Pilar to take care of his Nana Orlin for several years. He was a caretaker that everyone would love to have! He was always smiling and cheerful!! 

Orlin passed away with her Family taking turns around the clock to be with her in Albuquerque. We would also like to thank Sam& Wendy Hitt and Family and Marla Stennis and Family, the love and support they provided will never be forgotten and we also want to Thank NP Pamela Yevans of Taos for all the years of care.

Pallbearers will be Brenda Molina, Carrie Ann Garcia, Lisa Pacheco, ShirleyGarcia, PrIscilla Garcia, and Virginia Roybal. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Steven Herrera, Vince Roybal, Mark Roybal, Aniver Roybal, Jr., Ronnie Roybal, Joseph Roybal and Chris Slade.

Please join us for a rosary on April 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Rivera Funeral Home, 305 Calle Salazar Street, Espanola, NM. The mass will be held on April 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church in Pojoaque, 9 Grazing Elk Drive, Santa Fe, NM. The burial will follow in Pilar, NM.

We would also love to hear from anyone who would like to share their thoughts about Orlin in the comments below.