Graciela M. Diaz

If there was ever a person who wanted to heal all the wrongs in the world, it was Graciela M. Diaz. She was an idealist who sought to bring harmony to those around her. Even though Graciela was enthusiastic and generous, it was sometimes difficult for her to boast about her accomplishments. Graciela had strong personal convictions, making it hard for her to relinquish those ideals she held dearest to herself. Despite her outer strengths and beliefs, Graciela sometimes struggled in her efforts to see the world as completely positive. Graciela's life motto was always to hope for the best and work hard towards that end, but be prepared for some of life's disappointments. This philosophy was a continual driving force in her life, but it did not extinguish the bright light that defined the dreamer in Graciela, something that was always there and that she readily shared with everyone around her.

Graciela was born on March 10, 1937 at home in the presence of her two grandmothers in Villa De Contla Mpio De Tamazula Jalisco, Mexico. Her parents were Jesus Mata Quintero and Aurora Cardenas Zavala. Graciela was raised in Villa De Contla Mpio de Tamazula Jalisco, Mexico. As a youngster, Graciela demonstrated an excellent vocabulary and command of language. She was a compassionate person, a quality that she would carry with her throughout her life. Even at a young age, Graciela was sensitive to her parents’ moods and worked hard to please them and live up to their expectations.

Throughout her life, Graciela showed a remarkable ability to mend relationships. This was true even with her siblings. Graciela was caring, diplomatic and tolerant of the feelings of those around her. Graciela was raised with eight siblings. She had two brothers, Gilberto and Jose Luis, and six sisters, Julia, Alicia, Victoria, Laura, Elena, and Maria Dela Luz. Graciela was constantly involved in activities with her brothers and sisters. Graciela and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

While those who did not know her well found Graciela to be somewhat reserved until they got to know her, she was an authentic and devoted friend. Graciela was a tranquil person, with an easygoing and open-minded attitude towards life. She presented a pleasant face to the outside world but concealed the pain and discomfort she felt over her own friends’ difficulties. Graciela sought to achieve harmony with everyone and possessed the ability to mend conflicts and avoid interpersonal struggles. While growing up, some of her best friends were Beatrice Talamentez and Carolina Gomez. Graciela met Beatrice in 1967 and became the best of friends. Graciela would call her the comadre. She later met Carolina Gomez in 1970.

Graciela exchanged wedding vows with Ruben Diaz-Sanchez on February of 1956 at San Jose De Contla of Villa De Contla Mpio de Tamazula Jalisco, Mexico. Ruben and Graciela separated later in life.

Graciela was a gentle person who held deep feelings for her children. She enjoyed having fun with her kids and was at times fiercely protective of them. Graciela showed great empathy in her willingness to give every family member a voice in family decisions. She was blessed with eight children, five sons, Ruben, Joe, William, Mario, and Martin, and three daughters, Susana, Diana, and Sandra. They were also blessed with 25 grandchildren: Monique, Angela, Marissa, Brittney, Danika, Bianca, Celeste, Iris, Brianna, Melinda, Daniella, Joseph, Anthony, Mario, Angel, Manuel, Devin, Maximus, Samuel, Jason, and Christopher; and also five great-grandchildren: Abel, Aiden, Cara, Kyle, and Brooke.

Graciela enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were sewing and cooking. Graciela was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but she was also willing to share her interests with others.

Graciela took all of her personal and moral obligations seriously. Graciela was a strong defender of her faith. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church.

Graciela enjoyed traveling and going away on vacations. Taking trips provided the chance for her to kick back and relax, to visit new places and see new things. Graciela's favorite vacation was to go to her home in Contla, Mexico.

Graciela passed away on April 20, 2012 at La Jolla, California. Graciela fought a brave battle against pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her children Ruben, Joe, William, Susana, Mario, Diana, Martin, and Sandra; her grandchildren Monique, Angela, Marissa, Brittney, Danika, Bianca, Celeste, Iris, Brianna, Melinda, Daniella, Joseph, Anthony, Mario, Angel, Manuel, Devin, Maximus, Samuel, Jason, and Christopher; her great-grandchildren Abel, Aiden, Cara, Kyle, and Brooke; her step-grandchildren Tanya, Violet, Julian, and Jerry; and her ex-husband Ruben. Graciela was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Graciela M. Diaz was someone who was able to see the world as a good and honorable place. She viewed the people who inhabited it as essentially good. A person who tended to see the world in terms of black and white, Graciela tried to focus on the good she saw, knowing that there were times she would have to compromise. She was selfless and deeply committed to all things positive and good. Graciela was a person who would keep her eye on tomorrow and constantly held onto her dreams. She was capable of being mystical at times, and she could be the seer or shaman of a group. It was this exceptional insight and quiet reserve that that became Graciela's trademark qualities for all who knew her, and it was one of the many reasons why all who knew her loved Graciela M. Diaz.