Celia - Diaz

Celia (Sally) Diaz passed away peacefully on the morning of February 5, 2013. She was born in the summer of 1931 to Luis (Papa Louie) and Elvira (Mia) Leon in the small town of Santa Paula. Since her father worked for various Rancheros during the depression, her childhood was spent growing up in Rancho Sespe.

Having an older sister (Dolores) and older brother (Luis) and a kid brother (Benny) they found plenty of things to do & ways to get into trouble. Growing older, her interests & personal skills developed. She loved to sew, paint, garden & cook (God…could she cook!)

As her teenage years developed, so did her interest in a cute, but shy boy named Tony Diaz. He was part of the legendary gymnastic teams of Santa Paula High. He became the gleam in the light of a lot of girls eyes, but after 64 yrs together, well girls… sorry she won.

In 1952, her husband started to help his parents in their cantina (Las Quince Letras) offering food daily and creating a café. One day, Tony’s mother Pepa, asked Celia if she would help her make tamales… 60 years later, she still would grind her own masa, cook and season her own meat, then fold all the tamales by hand (marriage creates job security).

Through the years, she was blessed with five children: Sandi, Mike, Dan, Norma & Joel. who gave her 12 beautiful grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.She always has said “The best moments in my life have been the mother hen with all my baby chicks and rooster by my side”.

As her children grew up, and slowly started to move out, her interests in helping the community grew. She has proudly served on the board of the Santa Paula Historical Society for the last 30 yrs. She was actively involved for a number of years with the Santa Paula Theater Committee. She helped with the Main Street Museum, Archive committees, and with her diligent dedication, she was the “photographer, creator & keeper” of the Historical Society’s enormous scrapbook. Through the years, with the help of her husband Tony, they were part of the founding core of the downtown mural committee. She was honored with three other women to receive the first Women of Distinction award for Santa Paula.

Her curiosity and interest in new and exciting things has led her to visit over 40 countries. She started teaching cooking classes at age 70, which in turn inspired her to publish her own cookbook at age 74. At age 75, she graduated from Westlake Culinary Institute and celebrated her 80th birthday by jumping off a mountain by a paraglide…not once, but twice!

She constantly said that she was blessed to have her children marry spouses that she considered extended children of her own. She had very strong religious convictions and beliefs, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”. As this is being written, she is of ill health feeling God’s hand reaching for her, and soon we all know she will reach back.

A special thank you to Dr. Stan Frochtzwajg, and all the assisting nurses at Livingston Memorial Hospice. She wants to say thank you to everyone that has loved, lived and laughed with her. A long, warm “besito” to all her children and grandchildren. God bless you all!

Most of all, thank you Mi Amor for the last 64 years… “Siempre te Amare” .

A rosary in her honor will be held on Tuesday February 12 at St. Sebastian Church, Santa Paula at 10:30 a.m. followed by a mass at 11:00. A Celebration of Celia’s Life will be held immediately following at the Santa Paula Community Center 530 W. Main St. Santa Paula, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Society in Celia Diaz name. Thank you.