Cathleen Diaz Plúguez

Cathleen Diaz Plúguez, Cathy, beloved wife, Mother, and friend, was born in New York, NY to her parents Primitivo "Johnny" Diaz and Marta Cruz. She attended Catholic school in the Bronx until she was 13 years old then moved to Las Piedras, Puerto Rico and attended Fernando Roig Middle School and Ramon Power y Giralt High School graduating in 1981. Cathleen went on to study at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. During her junior year as a summer student she worked at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), which is now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). She then graduated valedictorian in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics. Cathleen started her career at the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). Then later moved to NBS in 1987 and worked with NIST until 1999 as a Software Scientist where she retired due to disability.

Cathleen had her son, Ryan M. Magusiak in November 1990. She met Dimas Plúguez, her husband, in 1993. Got engaged in 1996 and later married in April 1997. Ryan married Tairi in May 2018. Gavin, her first grandson, was born in 2019. Noah Magusiak, her second grandson, was born in 2021.

Cathleen was well known for her love of Hello Kitty and makeup—two things that brought her immense joy. Hello Kitty always made her smile, while makeup was a creative outlet that fueled her artistic spirit. She could spend hours sharing her favorite products, offering tips, and chatting about both with excitement. But even more than these beloved passions, nothing brought her greater happiness and pride than her grandchildren, Gavin and Noah. She loved showing off their pictures and videos, and she never tired of talking about them with a glowing heart.

Cathleen is lovingly survived by her husband, Dimas; her son, Ryan, and his wife, Tairi; and her cherished grandchildren, Gavin and Noah. She also leaves behind her father, Primitivo, and his wife, Teresa; her mother, Marta; her brothers, John (and his wife, Teresa) and Orlando (and his wife, Nilda); as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Final arrangements:

Viewing: De Vol Funeral Home on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Address: 10 E Deer Park Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Mass: Saint Martin of Tours on Monday, October 13, 2025, from noon to 1 pm

Address: 201 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Cemetery: All Souls Cemetery on Monday, October 13, 2025, following the Mass at St. Martins Catholic Church

Address: 11401 Brink Rd, Germantown, MD 20876