Lifelong San Luis resident Candidita "Candy" L. Mondragon, 73, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, under hospice care at St. Francis Medical surrounded by her loving family.
Candy was born on April 11, 1951, in San Luis, Colo., to Donald Melton, and Elsie Romero, she was later adopted by grandparents Ciprian, and Candidita Rodriguez, and raised with assistance of her uncle Manuel Rodriguez.
Candy graduated from Centennial High School in 1969, she later went on to earn her associates degree and retired as a Certified Nurse's Assistant in 2012.
Candy loved working on her flowers, cooking, baking, canning, spending time with her Yorkies, and Rottweilers, but most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchild.
She married Celestino Sanchez, Jr. in 1971 and had her first child Greg Sanchez. After Celestino passed away, she had her second child, Crystal Mondragon, in 1981 with her second husband Charlie Mondragon.
All that knew her will dearly miss Candy. Survivors include her son Greg Sanchez, of San Luis, Colo., grandson Carlitos (Cabrini) Medina, of Colorado Springs, Colo., special niece Liz (Michael) Sandoval of Arvada, Colo., as well as multiple sisters, nephews, nieces, and godchildren. Many other extended family members and close friends also survive her.
Candy was preceded in death by her adopted parents, biological parents, her brother Tomas Rodriguez, sister Jenny, Daughter Crystal Mondragon, husbands Celestino Sanchez, and Charlie Mondragon, and her special uncle Manuel Rodriguez.
A vigil service with recitation of the rosary will be held on April 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis. Her funeral will be held the next day, April 12, at Sangre De Cristo Catholic Church at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at the San Luis Catholic Cemetery.
To leave online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements has been entrusted to Romero Valley Funeral Home of Alamosa.
