San Juana Diaz

San Juana E Gutierrez Diaz, affectionately known as “San Jui,” “Janie” and “Sanwich” passed in the comfort of her Houston Texas home surrounded by her immediate family and close friends on September 22, 2021.

Janie was born August 31, 1951, in Monterrey, NL Mexico and was the oldest of 5 siblings. She and her siblings grew up in Houston’s Magnolia Park area where she attended De Zavala Elementary, Edison Junior High and was a graduate of Milby High School. At Edison, she played clarinet in the school band and in high school she completed cosmetology courses. She was a fan of The Beatles to the end and was fortunate enough to have attended their concert during their visit to the Houston Coliseum. During summer vacations, Janie and her siblings spent time with their grandparents and extended family in Monterrey. After high school, she became an employee at Southwestern Bell/AT&T where she spent 35 years before retiring from the company. Janie also received her real estate license and dabbled in real estate during her free time. She was a wife and proud mother of three children, a second mother to her siblings and a wonderful anchor to her mom.

Janie enjoyed traveling. Her most exciting trip was a two-week trek with family visiting five countries in Europe. But most importantly, she enjoyed hosting holidays at her home, spending time with family over a delicious meal, and the occasional trip to the casino with her mom and siblings.

Janie was a liver transplant recipient and survivor, survivor of open-heart surgery and brain cancer survivor. She conquered these with strength and ease to be able to spend more precious time with her family. She was truly the rock and inspiration to many; her presence and character will be truly missed.

She is preceded in death by her father Jose Gutierrez, her son J.A. “Tony” Gutierrez and nephew J.A. “Alex” Resendez.

She is survived by her mother, Hermelinda Almanza, husband, Fernando Diaz, daughters, Patricia Gutierrez, Jessica Williams and spouses, sisters, Elsa Garcia, Blanca Estela Resendez, Linda Almanza-Vasquez and spouses; brother, J.C. Almanza and spouse; grandchildren, Gabriela, Robin, Tony, Deja, Bryce and Kayden and great grandchild, Alakade as well as many nieces and nephews who considered her a “bonus mom.”

Visitation Services will be held Thursday October 7, 2021, from 5pm to 9pm at the Grand Chapel Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home located at 6900 Lawndale St. Houston, TX 77023. Funeral Service will be held at 10am Friday October 8, 2021, also in the Grand Chapel Forest Park Lawndale.

Burial will be immediately after funeral services at 11am in the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery Garden of Angels located at 6900 Lawndale St. Houston, TX 77087.