Maria Teresa Diaz

Maria Teresa Damasi Diaz passed away peacefully at home with her daughters and sons-in-law on October 14, 2026, at the age of 94. She was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and had been a resident of Mobile, Alabama for more than sixty years. In the DR, she was a renowned dancer in the Folklore Ballet Company and a glamorous model for the Miss America Couture Shop before she met and married the love of her life, Franklin Diaz. They moved to Mobile in December of 1963 when Franklin was appointed the Dominican Consul in Mobile. After his death in 1982, Maria was appointed and served as the Consul to the DR in Mobile for more than twenty years.

Maria embraced life with a spirited sense of humor, often playing pranks on friends and relatives during, creating fond memories for her loved ones. She was a warrior when it came to fighting illness, as she survived multiple bouts of cancer over the years. But it was her Catholic faith that was at the core of who she was.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Rafael and Maria Elisa Dalmasi, her husband, Rafael Franklin Diaz, her brother Antonio Dalmasi, her sisters Lucy Dalmasi Castro, Josefina Dalmasi, and Luisa Dalmasi Buhring.

Maria is survived by her daughters Nazareth Diaz Spikes (Kenny), Leda Diaz Gordon (Gregory), her sisters Pura Dalmasi Alba, Carmen Dalmasi Pelleramo, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the nurses at Springhill Home Health & Hospice for their support and care of Maria. Also, we would like to thank Maximina Hernandez who provided daily care and support to Maria in the final years of her life. Funeral Mass will be held October 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation at 1:30, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, interment at Pine Crest Cemetery, with reception to follow at the Poitier House. In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Conference, P.O. Box 66321, Mobile, AL 36660.