Norma Sanchez

November 24, 1944 - March 3, 2022

Norma Sanchez, 77, transitioned peacefully in the early hours of March 3, 2022 at her daughter's home in Apopka, FL. Norma was born on November 24, 1944 in Manhattan, NY. She lived with her mother Carmen Doval De Ramirez, her dad John Ramirez Sr., and brother John "Johnnie" Ramirez Jr. She grew a family of her own when she had her daughter in 1968. Soon after having her daughter, she was blessed to have met the love of her life, Humberto Sanchez Jr., and they then had their son in 1979. They married in August 1986 and together raised their two kids. They created a beautiful life, family, and marriage together, one filled an abundance of love and lots of laughs. They moved from New York to Orlando, FL in 1987 where she held jobs at hotels doing what she loved most; cleaning and getting to know people from all over the world. She became a grandmother in 1984, and subsequently became what she'd be most popularly known by, and that is Yaya. She became a Yaya again in 1990, 1991, 2007, 2008, and a great-grandmother in 2010. Norma's favorite thing in this world was being with her amazingly large and ever-growing family, her closest friends, and being the best dressed woman in any room. She also loved being at home with her dog Negrita watching any “True Crime” documentary known to man, being in the sun at the beach tanning her beautiful skin and listening to smooth jazz or doo wop music. If you were blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and get to know Norma, you know one thing: She was in a class all her own. Her smile was absolutely breathtaking, her attitude was always poised and positive, she had the most amazing sense of humor, and she was the definition of "would give the shirt off of her back for you". Love poured from this God sent woman anywhere she went. Leave her around a person for more than 2 minutes and she was guaranteed to try to get to know them, the epitome of a people-person. The pureness, genuine care, and love in her heart was unmatched and like no other. Those closest to her, who were so lucky to have been embraced by her love, know that it was an indescribable kind of love. She was a warm hug, she was a kind smile, she was soft hands on your back, she was a listening ear, she was a positive voice, she was a good laugh even in the worst of times, and most of all she was the essence of the feeling of “Home”. She could make intangible words feel very much like something you could physically feel, and that is only a small part of the kind of phenomenal and grand woman Norma was. Norma is survived by her daughter Denise Gonzalez; her son Jessie Sanchez; her stepdaughter Cristina Duhmal; her grandchildren Richard Contreras, Janessa Hernandez, Cynthia Hernandez, Jaslene Gonzalez, Illeanna Sanchez; step granddaughters Mya and Kylie Duhmal; and her great-granddaughter Nevaeh Hernandez. She is preceded in death by her husband, her brother, and her parents. Norma's Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 4pm to 5pm at The Cottage on the Lake Fairview, 4410 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804. Those attending are asked to wear white. The family of Norma Sanchez invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory.