Maria N. Diaz

Be Strong. Be Kind. Be Courageous. These were words that Nicki used every day to encourage everyone to be the best they could be. After a five-year battle with metastatic breast cancer, Maria Nicolasa (Nicki) Diaz passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020 in the sanctuary of her home. She leaves behind her husband of 34 years, Hector; her daughters, Katherine Rose, Audrey Nicole and joins her eldest daughter Crystal in Heaven.

Nicki was born in 1956 in Laredo, Texas to the late Alfonso and Guadalupe Garcia. She grew up in a large family with three sisters and three brothers. Nicki was a driven professional with a secret love for harlequin romance novels and the Hallmark Channel. Nicki never gave up on her dream of becoming a teacher and with the help of her amazing husband Hector, she was not only able to obtain her Bachelor’s, but her Master’s in Education, both from UTEP. Nicki retired from EPISD in 2019 after 20 years as a special education teacher. She touched so many people’s lives during her teaching career and was recognized four times as Teacher of the Year.

Nicki was not just strong and courageous but had a way of making people come out of their shell and make them feel like they had known her for years. Her gentle, sweet humor encouraged her students, parents of her students, colleagues and friends to open up and feel at ease. Even with this debilitating health diagnosis, she was always able to use humor to look at every challenging situation with a unique twist. She had a simple, but wonderful life full of beautiful memories with her family and close friends. She lived everyday with grace and love. She leaves a huge hole in the hearts of so many because there will never be another Nicki, but she also left her inspirational words to always be strong, kind and courageous.

Due to COVID-19 and her final wishes the chapel viewing will be limited to immediate family. For those that wish to send flowers, they can be sent to Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana, 79903: attention Maria N. Diaz on Thursday, July 30. She will be resting at Mount Carmel Cemetery in a niche that she would lovingly joke was her little apartment. Due to COVID-19, it will be limited to ten people and immediate family.