Cuba mourns loss of local leader Tonya Sanchez

Tonya Sanchez, a 44-year-old mother of four who was running for a council seat for the village of Cuba, died in a car accident Feb. 19.

Sanchez’s 18 year-old daughter, Oceanus, was in the car and is currently hospitalized and recovering from multiple surgeries.

Sanchez worked at Presbyterian Medical Services in Cuba, starting as a CAR and eventually becoming the administrator.

At the Feb. 28 Sandoval County Commission meeting, District 5 Commissioner Joshua Jones, who represents Cuba, paid his respects to her and held a moment of silence for Sanchez.

“Tonya was active in the community; she organized trunk or treats for the kids in the community, hosted multiple food banks and she was administrator for local PMS Center,” Jones said. “She is survived by four of her kids, one of which was in a car. She broke her neck, back, pelvis and shoulder. She’s expected to recover. But as I understand, she’s not out of the woods yet.”

The Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office said Sanchez was involved in a head-on collision on Highway 550 south of Cuba at mile marker 51. The incident is under investigation, although there is no suspicion of alcohol involvement.

The village of Cuba posted the following on social media:

“Our Cuba community is suffering the tragic and untimely passing of local leader Tonya Sanchez. We will continue to see and feel her contributions in so many ways, and will honor Tonya‘s generous spirit and intention to work in the service of others from here on end. As Tonya’s friends and colleagues, we offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to her precious family and dear loved ones.”

Cuba’s clerk-treasurer, Vandora Casados, released the following statement about Sanchez’s death on social media:

“Following consultation with the Office of the Secretary of State, it was determined that Sanchez’s name must remain on the ballot. In the event of Sanchez’s victory in the election, the responsibility of appointing someone to fill the position will fall upon the Mayor of Cuba, Denny Herrera.”

Cuba’s municipal election is set for March 5.

Sanchez is survived by her four children — Oakley, Orion, Osiris and Oceanus Putnam — as well as her mother and stepfather, Anna and Rick Romero.

Services will be held March 2 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cuba. The viewing is at 9 a.m. followed by the rosary at 10 a.m., then followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. Burial will be followed immediately after services at the Cuba Catholic Cemetery.