Lydia Orozco Cruz

Born: 3-12-1944

Died: 3-9-2024

Lydia Orozco Cruz was 79 years young. She passed away peacefully at Chandler Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family on March 9, 2024. She was born March 12, 1944 and raised in Ray, Sonora, Arizona where she attended Ray High School. She played a variety of sports and lettered in badminton, volleyball, basketball, and softball. In 1974, she moved to Phoenix with her son, Eddie. They attended Phoenix Christian Assembly Church where she met her loving and devoted husband, Abel Cruz. They were married on May 27, 1978, and became a blended family. Together they raised 5 boys, John, Anthony, Paul, Alan, and Eddie. She was blessed with many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Lydia and Abel were married for 42 years before Abel went to be with the Lord.

Lydia retired from Motorola after 20 years of service. She enjoyed cooking, going to movies, crocheting, archery hunting and camping, traveling, bingo, babysitting, spending time with her grandchildren, and she was heavily involved in her church. She was involved in women’s ministries and Women Aglow.

Throughout her life she was a strong Christian and held an unwavering faith and love for The Lord. She made tamales each year and loved to host her large family for the annual Christmas Eve extravaganza. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was deeply cherished by all who knew her.

Lydia is preceded in death by her parents Francisco and Carmen Gaitan, her brother Augustin O Gaitan, her sisters Margaret O Cañez and Esther (Salvador) Bernal.

She is survived by her brothers Frank (Helen) and Albert (Marilyn) Gaitan, sons John, Anthony, Paul, Alan and Eddie (Staci) and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday March 23rd, 2024 at 11 AM at

Phoenix Christian Assembly Church

2030 N 36th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85008

Flowers may be sent to the church.

Burial at 1:30 PM at

Resthaven Carr-Tenney Memorial Gardens

4310 E Southern Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85042

The family of Lydia Cruz would like to extend their deepest gratitude for your outpouring of prayers, love and support during this difficult time. They take solace that her absence on Earth means she is present with The Lord (and in the arms of her loving husband, Abel).