Ana Maria Diaz

Ana Maria was born in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon on a ranch named ‘La Tijerita’. Although the youngest of ten, she carried that independent, resourceful, and spunky spirit she acquired on that ranch throughout her life.

She is survived by her only child, Carmelita Cantu. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Lupe Compean, Inocente Diaz, Maria Gutierrez, Rodrigo Onassis Diaz, Joaquina Gomez, and Isidora D. Farias. She was preceded in death by her brothers: Armando Diaz, Ignacio Diaz, and most recently, eldest brother Simon J. Diaz.

She revered her oldest brother for the father figure he represented to her. He taught her to work hard, take risks, to keep going when you get knocked down and to take care of your family. In her life she tried to live up to those ideals with all the resources she had – mostly love. Simon had a unique ability to love with a big heart but to also maintain a stiff back. A trait they both shared.

Considered by many as their “favorite aunt”, she much loved her nieces and nephews. She was able to identify with them and was always ready to listen to their concerns, answer their questions regarding Diaz family history, and yes even provide correction when she thought it was needed.

She had a love of the law but found her calling working in one specific aspect of the Texas Code: vehicle titles and registrations. In her early 20’s her supervisor/mentor David Zamora saw the potential she had and promoted her to supervisor of the McAllen Tax Office. There she thrived and even enjoyed the crazy ‘rushes’ where she would work a 19-hour day, go home, nap, shower and return to work at 8:00 am the next day. She stepped away at the age of 33 to have her only child and planned to settle down in California. Although those plans changed – she maintained a strong tie to that state. She would visit her family in California every chance she got. Her favorite spot: the Golden Gate Bridge. She called it “her bridge” and over the years she was able to drive and walk across it multiple times. On her last trip to SF, she was able to take a ferry out to the bridge. Her request was to have her ashes spread in the Bay so she would always be able to keep an eye on “her bridge”.

At age 41, Ana Maria found Jesus and it changed her life forever. Shortly after being saved, a visiting pastor asked if anyone needed to be set free from some habit: she jumped at the opportunity. From that moment until her passing she never again smoked cigarettes. She often thanked God for delivering her from her habit of smoking two packs a day. She was a prayer warrior who was often asked to pray for people. Over the years she was also a part of several outreaches, most recently visiting elderly at a local rehabilitation center. She loved praise and worship but mostly she loved spending time with God. Her last day on Earth, she had spent two hours in prayer and reading her Bible.

Ana Maria became an avid gardener after retiring on February 29, 2008. She spent many happy hours in her yard and considered our valley sun her ‘friend’. She enjoyed finding new plants and giving/trading them with her friends. She often would keep a vegetable/herb garden because she said it reminded her of La Tijerita and the good memories she had there.

Although she is gone now, we know that she lived her best life. She worked hard, loved God with all her heart, stood up for what was right – even when it was difficult, and invested great amounts of love into her family and friends.