Mercedes A. Diaz

Mercedes Diaz was born on October 26, 1923 in Key West, Florida. She was known as a "Key West Conch" and a "native Floridian." To her nephews and nieces she was also known as "Aunt Cucha." She lived in Tampa, Miami, and then moved to Hollywood, Florida in 1959. She married her husband, Albert Diaz, Jr in Key West on April 20, 1946 and had 5 children.

God had a purpose for her life. Almost 50 years ago, Mercedes had a severe reaction to penicillin at the doctor's office. She had to be rushed by ambulance to the North Shore Hospital where we were told she was not going to make it. Even then, she was a strong woman! After she recovered, she told us she had seen a long path. At the end of the pathway, there was a bright image dressed in white. She heard "It's not your time yet, I'm sending you back." She survived!

Here almost 50 years later, God still had a purpose for her life. On Friday, June 28, 2013, she was placed on Vita's 24 Hour Hospice Crisis Care and survived another 2 months and 9 days. Again, she was a strong woman. Even in her suffering and pain, she would hold your hand, smile, and tell you, in Spanish, "Te quiero mucho" or in English, "I love you."

Mercedes survived the 1935; category 5, Labor Day Hurricane that took the railroad track that connected Key West to the mainland. Mercedes enjoyed reading Romantic Novels, playing Bingo, painting clowns, crocheting, and playing the piano. She also enjoyed going to the movies and speaking of Ernest Hemingway. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family! Mercedes was a very good cook and no matter what, there was always enough food for one more person. You could smell her cooking down the street. She was also a caregiver to 3 nephews for a brief amount of time. She loved Jesus and acknowledged Him as her Lord and Savior.

Mercedes and her husband liked to travel. They traveled to Spain and Mexico on their vacations. They enjoyed every minute!

Mercedes became a widow on October 7, 1980. Her son, Albert, passed away in 1990. Her grandson, Jesus "Papo," passed away in 2003. Her great-granddaughter, Cadyn Lily, passed away at birth in 2012.

Mercedes was surrounded by wonderful caregivers at the Broward Nursing & Rehab and Vita's Hospice Unit at Memorial Hospital Pembroke.

Mercedes went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 6, 2013. She was an extremely strong woman until her last breath here on Earth.

Mercedes is survived by her beloved daughters, Rosalind Duyos (Pedro Perez) and Yolanda Del Rey (son-in-law Jesus "Chico" Del Rey); her beloved sons, Orlando Diaz (daughter-in-law Dorothy Skidmore) and Victor Diaz (daughter-in-law DeAnn Diaz); her sister, Alice Williams; her grandchildren Eddie Duyos, Shawn Staton, Cristina Ramirez, Deanna Del Rey, Crystal Diaz-Huth, Victor Diaz II, DeAnn Diaz, Cynthia Barrionuevo, Walter Skidmore, and Clifford Skidmore; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.