Lisset Sandoval

SANDOWN, NH - Lisset (Lissi) Sandoval, age 35, passed away on Sunday May 10th after a long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. Lissi passed in the comfort of her own home in Sandown, NH in the arms of her devoted husband.

While Lissi’s time with us was far too short, she lived an amazing life that serves as an inspiration to us all. Lissi was born in Havana, Cuba on January 26th, 1985.  In 1994 she braved over 100 miles of open ocean to reach American shores to pursuit of a better life. Lissi loved America, but she never missed the opportunity to tell you how proud she was of her Cuban heritage. Since arriving in America Lissi held a green card and legal resident status knowing that one day, she would become a U.S Citizen. After attending school, she worked as a senior event planner where she discovered her passion for working with the elderly. Lissi was an “old soul” who appreciated the sense of peace and gentleness she found in the elderly.  She always found them to be enjoyable and cute. She attended Lincoln Technical in Hialeah, FL- where she studied massage therapy. It was there that she met her lifelong partner and best friend Pedro and the two were inseparable from that point forward.

In 2009 Lissi and Peter reunited with Lissi’s mother Magaly and stepfather Carlos in Dessert Hot Springs, California. That same year, the family welcomed their first boy Jayden, who was followed shortly thereafter by LaDainian in 2010. Lissi and her mother’s bond was a lasting one, as shortly after the birth of LaDainian the entire family including Magaly and Carlos relocated to Southern NH where Lissi and her children enjoyed the love and support of all three grandparents- Ana, Magaly and Carlos. Lissi was an amazing mother to her children and her devotion would serve as the inspiration that gave her the boundless strength and courage for which she will always be remembered. She was a dedicated and loyal wife, a loving daughter, and most importantly a wonderful mother. She lived for her three boys; they were her everything!

To all who knew her, all would agree that Lissi was truly special. She was a free-spirited soul, who loved music and dancing. She was an amazing storyteller, and most often she would command the attention of her audience with stories of her life. Whether it was about her journey to the life she built in America, the special item she found antiquing, the new project she had been working on, or her admiration of renaissance, she spoke with such pride and excitement. She was an artistic beauty with elegance and truly found and appreciated the beauty in all things. She enjoyed attending the sewing group with her mom where all the ladies loved her dearly. She often called them her “Golden Girls”! Anything to do with decorating, painting, or gardening brought her such joy. If you ever visited her house, she would love to show you all her collection of antiques and collectibles.  A proud mom, she would display her boy’s art and gifts they gave her throughout her home for all to see.  She loved her cat Charlie (ChaChi) and plants, to which she would provide detailed instructions to her mother and friends whom she entrusted to care for them in her absence.

Lissi was a gentle and generous woman. She wanted to always give especially to those who went without. Her grandfather and Uncle Antonio were both especially important to Lissi.  They both were her heroes and inspiration to many of her values and strengths. She always thought of family and children like a heard of elephants, always protecting their own. These are just a few examples of her sense of compassion and who she was as a person. 

Nearly three years ago our worlds were turned upside down when we learned her diagnosis. Her strength was remarkable. She had this fighting will of determination to never stop living.  She traveled with her family (and even took her cat) to Washington D.C. to visit The White House as our Nation’s Capital was on her bucket list. In the summer of 2018, her patriotic journey came full circle as her lifelong dream became a reality as she raised her hand in oath to become a US Citizen, an accomplishment which brought her tremendous pride. She showed us all a strength we did not think existed. Until, she no longer had the strength she cooked, cleaned, and performed all her normal routines she had with her boys, whether it was getting them off to school or helping them with their schoolwork. She wanted to do it all- for them. She gave her doctors aspiration and wished more patients were like Lissi. And even today as we struggle to make sense of this tragic loss, we realize just how utterly amazing she was because everything we thought about her was wrong.

We thought that we would fight for Lissi. But instead… she fought for us.

We thought that we would comfort her in her moments of weakness. But instead… she comforted us.

We thought that we would hold her hand and tell her “it’s okay, don’t be afraid”. But instead…she held our hand and she told us, “it’s was okay, I’m not afraid.”

And we terribly feared a time when one day her sons would have to see their Mother become weak, a time when Peter and all of us would have to stand beside her and tell her to be strong… But instead… she told us to be strong.

The moment of weakness that we all expected of her never came. Jayden and LaDainian never saw their  Mother become weak. Instead, they saw the greatest display of strength they will ever know.

A warrior who fought for every moment, every day, and every breath with them. They witnessed bravery and strength from their Mother, and they witnessed unparalleled devotion and strength from their Father, who fought tirelessly beside her every step of the way.

Lissi chose to accept her well-deserved rest on Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a special day, one of respect and appreciation. Let us not be sad, let us not feel sorry for ourselves for having lost this beautiful soul, for she would have none of that! Let us all be appreciative of the fact that we have been blessed to know the strongest Mother we had the pleasure of having in our lives. She will be loved forever and missed by many.

Lissi is survived by her husband, Pedro (Peter) Peralta; her children, Jayden Peralta and LaDainian (JoJo) Peralta; her mother, Magaly Buttera (Sanchez-Breton); and stepfather, Jose Carlos Buttera; her grandmother, Maria Eijo; her step-grandmother, Alicia Buttera; her uncle, Antonio Sanchez-Breton; and wife, Iraida Gonzalez; her mother-in-law, Ana Mazalauski; her brother-in-law, Scott Roy; and wife, Cynthia Roy; her nephews, Benjamin Roy and Dylan Roy; She also leaves behind Aunts, Uncles, many cousins and friends.

She is predeceased by her grandmother, Teresa Gruz; and her grandfather, Armando Avrelio Sanchez-Breton.

Please except our gratitude to all relatives and friends who have showed support. Your generosity during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. The Fight with Lissi Benefit, to all who cooked and dropped meals through meal train, the GoFundMe, and to all who sent cards, flowers, etc. We are forever grateful! 

Services will be announced. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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