Maria Díaz

Maria, affectionately known as “Lula” was born to Beatriz Hernández on March 21st, 1921, in La Guama but later relocated to Baitoa, a small town in the province of Santiago. Sadly, just 3 months after her birth, her mother died leaving her and her older sister (also named Beatriz) orphaned. Lula worked hard to make a life for herself. Then, she fell in love with Jose Díaz. The two would later have nine children before immigrating to the United States through New York City. Lula poured all of her love into each of her children the best way she knew: selflessly. Sacrificing just about everything to give her children what she never received as a parentless child. While a lack of higher education may be a handicap for some, it wasn’t for Lula. An entrepreneur and homemaker, she worked tirelessly to put food on the table and to make sure her children had the best access to education. She was proud of her immigrant story and preached, “With determination and perseverance, anything is possible. Even for us Dominicans.” Later, she decided to leave the cold winters of the North and follow the majority of her children down to South Florida, eventually settling in Tamarac. It was there Lula would help raise the majority of her grandchildren and help mold them to the people they are today. She's known for her contagious smile, Lula was a devout Catholic who attended Mass every Sunday. Her faith not only made her a beautiful human being, but a strong and courageous woman. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, spending quality time with her family, as well as traveling and dancing. Lula is survived by her nine children: Rafael Díaz, Nelvis Hernández, Santiago Díaz, Ines Jacquez, Maria Isabel Cruz, Marcos Antonio, Gladys Díaz, Josie Díaz, and Maria Lowry. Her 23 grandchildren: Rafael Antonio Díaz, Junot Díaz, Maritza Díaz, Paul Díaz, Rafael Octavio Díaz, Gwyneth Díaz, José Luis Hernández, Joshua Perez, Steven Hernández, Eileen Hernández, Wayne Hernández, Ruby Costa, Elena Oh, Irving Nuñez, Nefertiti Jáquez, Juan Carlos Cruz, Jose Cruz, Cristian Cruz, Karina Sandberg, Blake Edward, Brandon Fernbach, Jacqueline Fernbach, and Gabriela Lowry. Her 12 great grandchildren: Gabriel Cruz, Robert Stone Jr., Isabella Cruz, Austin Sandberg, Nahia Sibila- Nuñez, Ruben Cruz, Alex Cruz, Daniel Díaz, Mya Costa, Ethan Costa, Sofia Díaz, Chloe Díaz, Ruben Díaz, Sabrina Díaz, and two great-great grandchildren, Adrian and Alex Cruz. Preceding her in death is her older sister, Beatriz Hernández and grandchild, Maria Isabel Díaz.

Please note: Masks are required and we will be practicing social distancing due to the pandemic.

A Funeral mass service for our beloved matriarch will be held Friday, September 10th, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 6200 N. University Dr., Tamarac, FL 33321. This will be open to both family members and the public.

A private funeral service will be held Saturday, September 11th, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064, before a committal service at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lula’s name to a charity dedicated to helping single mothers in her native land: https://goto.gg/f/39743.