Esther Maria Diaz

Esther Maria Diaz, age 87, of New Haven, MI, passed away on Saturday, September 14, with all of her children surrounding her. She was residing at the Medilodge of Richmond at the time of her passing and was well cared for during her time there. Esther is survived by her six children: Stephen (Nadine), Hanford, CA; Ralph (Sharon), Utica, MI; Arthur, New Haven, MI; Kathy, Sterling Heights, MI; Sylvia, New Haven, MI; and Sue, New Haven, MI. Esther is also survived by her siblings: Joe Gonzalez, Sarah Mellado, Connie (Ralph) Diaz, Arlene Flores, Rueben (Marion) Gonzalez, Honey Rodriguez, and Nina Simpson. She is predeceased by her sisters Nate Aginaga and Elva Gonsalez. And she is loved and remembered by her sisters-in-law Dora Medel, Lola Colmus and Della Chantaca, as well as innumerable godchildren, nieces, nephews and family friends. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Monica, Raul, Matthew, Deanna, Gigi, Sherri and Stephen. In addition, she has 18 great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren (plus one on the way). They all truly loved and will dearly miss their “Gram.” Esther was born on October 9, 1925, in Independence, KS, and raised in Pontiac, MI. She was married to the love of her life, Stephen Diaz, on April 4, 1942, and he predeceased her on September 17, 1982. They raised their six children in New Haven, MI, beginning in 1951. They celebrated over 40 years of marriage together with their undying and infinite love. Esther was a stay-at-home mom whose goal in life was to raise her six children with all the love and care she was able to give. We will all miss her beyond measure. Esther loved to travel and went to such places as Mexico, Spain, Portugal, etc. She loved flowers and gardening and you could always find her outside working with her plants and flowers. She was also a volunteer for Focus Hope in New Haven for many years. Our family will be forever grateful for the loving care given to our mom in her later years by Sylvia and Arthur. Without their 24/7 care, she wouldn’t have survived as long as she did during her difficult journey with her long-term illness. The viewing will be from 1-9 pm on Thursday, September 19, at Wasik Funeral Home in Shelby Township, MI, at the corner of 22 Mile Rd. and Schoenherr Rd. There will also be a viewing on Friday, September 20 from 10 am- 11 am prior to Catholic Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 11 am (at the corner of New Haven Rd. and North Ave), New Haven, MI, followed by interment at the New Haven Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.wasikfuneralhome.com

Esther Maria Diaz

October 9, 1925 - September 14, 2013