Maria Guadalupe Diaz

Maria Guadalupe Diaz was born in Tecualtitan, Jalisco Mexico on July 4 1922. However her parents did not register her birth until December 12, 1923. Which then became her date of birth. Her parents were Modesta Maldonado born in Mexico, and Feliciano Hernandez born in Spain. She had three siblings, all sisters, Juanita, Lupe and Modesta who preceded her in death.

Maria lost her mother, Modesta, at 3 years old when her mother died giving birth to her younger sister. A year later she lost her father from complications suffered after he was bucked off his horse. She was raised by her godmother, aunt and uncle Maldonado.

Her older sister Juanita relocated to Guadalajara, Mexico to attend school where she studied and soon acquired work. At the age of 13 Mom left Tecualtitan, Jalisco and went to Guadalajara to live with her.

While living in Guadalajara she attended school and acquired a part time job in a sewing factory. She had many friends and enjoyed going to the movies, out to eat and having picnics. At the age of 20 she relocated to Tijuana, Mexico where she lived with her sister and family. At the age of 25 she came across to the United States to live with her sister Modesta and her family. Shortly after, she started night school where she meet Rodolfo A. Diaz. She fell in love with this handsome young man in his military uniform.

On July 21, 1951 they got married in Yuma, Arizona. Soon after, their family started and they were blessed with 5 children. Rudy, twins Rose and Mary, Mario and Maria. Their youngest son Mario’s life was cut short at the age of 15 years old.

The family continued to grow as they were blessed with 13 grandchildren. Monica, Kristen, Claudia, Guillermo, Mario, Jacqueline, Carlos, Frankie, Armando, Angel, Rubi, Javier and Reyna. They also have 31 great-grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Mom had a love for birds. She loved birds through out her life she had doves, pigeons, canaries, cockatiels and love birds. She had a passion for dogs. She always had a Chihuahua or two running around. She had two tortoises, which are still alive today, at over 40 years old.

Mom could often be found outside in her garden planting, repotting and watering her plants. She also had fruit trees she would pick fruit from and share with family and friends.

Maria “Lupe” was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church for over 50 years. Maria was fully committed to the catholic family and rarely missed a Sunday morning worship service. She also was a member of a group in the church called “Las Guadalupanas” for many years. She loved working at different church fund-raising functions, such as bake sales and carnivals called bazzars.

Maria was recently diagnosed with lymphoma cancer on December 16, 2016. Her age and declining health played a factor where she could not receive treatments but she passed away peacefully on January 8, 2017. She will be missed by all the people who loved her, both family and friends, who are comforted in knowing that she has gone to live with her lord and savior.

A celebration of Maria's life and visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Humphrey, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held in her honor on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in San Diego. A funeral procession to her final resting place will follow to Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in San Diego.