Rachel Hope Sabala, 76, of Scottsbluff, was taken to her Heavenly Home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A viewing will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 7, 2020, at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. Her memorial mass will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2020, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Father Thomas Vijumon officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Social distancing and face masks are required at both the visitation and mass. The mass will be live streamed on Bridgman Funeral Home’s Facebook page. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made by visiting Rachel’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Rachel was born January 18, 1944, in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Manuel Sr. and Rosie (Gonzales) Martinez. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Cheyenne. Rachel then attended Central Business College in Denver, Colorado. On October 21, 1963, she married Juvencio Sabala in Greeley, Colorado, and to this union three children were born, Christopher, James, and Victoria. Rachel worked as a Librarian and Secretary for the Scottsbluff Public Schools for 31 years, retiring in 2006.
Rachel had a very strong work ethic and continued to work for the school system as a substitute well after retirement. Rachel had many talents, such as sewing, gardening, and according to her husband, children, and grandchildren, she was the best cook! Rachel was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos, Nebraska Cornhuskers, golf, and loved reading biography books. Rachel was known to have her home decorated for Christmas before Halloween. Those who truly knew her, knew that Christmas was her favorite holiday. So, with her passing on Christmas is such a beautiful solace. Rachel was the matriarch of her family which she loved unconditionally, fiercely, and her family always came first. She absolutely adored all of her grandsons. Rachel will forever be cherished and missed dearly by all. We love you so much Mom. The family would like to also extend a thank you to the entire ICU Staff at Regional West Medical Center.
Rachel was an active member and volunteer of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff.
Rachel is survived by her husband of 57 years, Juvencio Sabala; son, Christopher A. Sabala of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Victoria (John) Gier of Scottsbluff; grandchildren, Christopher Lionel (Leslie) Sabala of San Antonio, John Frank (Erin) Sabala of Boise, Idaho, Nicolas Alexander Sabala of San Antonio, and Eric Matthew Sabala of Scottsbluff; great-grandson, Theodore Christopher Sabala; sisters, twin Rita Sabala, Mary Josephine (Joe) Garcia, Margaret Moreno, and Dorothy Fonseca; brothers, Manuel Jr. (Helen) Martinez, and Anthony (Mary Ann) Quijas.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Sabala; parents, Manuel Martinez Sr. and Rosie (Ralph) Quijas; sisters, Connie DeOllos, Dora Cruz, Vera McTigue, and Esther Cervantes; brothers, Robert Martinez, and John Hernandez.
