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Shirley C Diaz

shirley diaz
Shirley C. Diaz of Temecula, California passed away on October 11, 2021, after a brief illness. She was born on March 25, 1935, in Manila, Philippines to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny and Martina Chua. Our mother Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Pedro T. Diaz of 66 years; her children, Howard Diaz (Michelle) of Seattle, WA; Jonell Hanley (Richard) of San Clemente, CA; Carole Gonzales (Neil) of Houston, TX; Jennifer D'Alessio (Keith) of Cary, NC; and Peter Diaz (Carmela) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; Grandchildren: Cheryl; Ryan (Stephanie); Charlie, Andrew (Camille); Brandon (Allison); Casey (Paulina); Zachary (Alyssa); Bradford (Rebecca); Patrick (Emily); and Breanne. Great Grandchildren: Charlotte Gonzales, Logan Postel, and Emerson Postel. Shirley Anna Marietta was a loving mother and an inspiration to many. She encouraged everyone to strive for excellence and to reach for the stars. She has always been our beacon of light and our paragon of love and hope. Growing up in Manila, Shirley graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Management at FEATI University in the Philippines. Her career started as a Professor of Math and Chemistry at the University of the East for 17 years. Afterwhich, she founded her 3 own companies as the Business Executive: East Gate International Corporation (Electrical Company); Chemacor Marketing Corporation (Chemical Trading Company-still in operation); Trio-Tech International (Semiconductor Company). During the prime of her career, she was the President of the Lioness Club in the Philippines; American Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Chapter; International Chamber of Trade; Women Chemical Engineers of the Philippines; Philippine Association of Chemical Suppliers; and Women’s Management Association. After retiring from her three companies, she moved to the United States of America in 1987. Shirley continued to be active in the community, helping to establish Mary Queen of Peace parish church in Issaquah, WA. She was a member of the Divine Mercy, Readers Ministry, Filipino Ministry, Eucharistic Ministry at St Catherine of Alexandria. She also was a leader of America Needs Our Lady of Fatima. As a careful reminder, we are here on earth on borrowed time. It is important to everyone of us to love deeply and cherish our dear ones completely. Never hesitate to let them know how much they mean to you and how much you love them today, as tomorrow may never come. Lastly, the Diaz family would like to express our most sincere thanks to all the healthcare personnel who took care of our mother during her healing journey. *Viewing hours: England Family Mortuary, 27135 Madison Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590. -Tuesday, October 19 from 1:00-5:00 PM, -Wednesday, October 20 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM *Catholic Interment Day: Thursday, October 21, 10:00 AM Mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria, 41875 C St, Temecula, CA 92592 followed by her burial at Temecula Cemetery.

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  1. Ate Shirley, was the sister of my loving sister in law, Betty.
    Back in ’96, we visited the US for the very first time. She opened her beautiful home for us to stay in and personally toured us around your pictureque vicinity which I so vividly recall.
    Ate Shirley was very loving, generous and hospitable. Both of us never run out of stories as we both shared passion for piano and travel.
    It is with deep sorrow knowing that she is physically gone but we find comfort in our belief that she is now in our Heavenly Father’s sweet embrace .

    Our sincere condolence to the Diaz Family. My whole family offer you our thoughts, prayers and sympathies during this time of mourning.

  2. Dearest Mrs. Shirley Diaz, a very special lady with a beautiful soul full of genuine care and love for others. We met Mrs. Shirley Diaz through Michelle and Howard and even though we just met a few times, every time I met her, I felt a strong connection with her in the Faith of the Lord. I cherish all the Christmas cards we’ve been exchanging for the past years, she always invited us to visit her in Temecula. She also sent me the Sacred Hearts of Jesus Image card with inspiring prayers in the back, which I put on my desk ever since I received it and pray the prayers everyday thinking about her and will continue to do so. The last time I met her was when we visited Howard at his nursing home, I remember we were so happy to see each other, we were holding hands together engaging in such sweet and inspiring conversations. I’m sure she touched and inspired every single person she met and came across throughout her life. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with her and her loving family. May she rejoice in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, our Mother, Queen of Angels and with all the Angels and Saints.
    Love, Jennifer, Tenny, Joy & Mira Cho family

  3. I miss you, mom! Without you, every single second is too painful and tough to spend! I want to hug you, mom. The one thing I never doubted was that you loved me so much. I cried endlessly but I promise that I will cherish the smiles you given me with all my heart when you were alive.

    We promise to take care of dad. I will love you forever, my dear mom.?❤?

  4. If I may share these lines from the poem, “Only One Life” ,

    “Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
    Only what’s done for Christ will last”.

    This is how Auntie Shirley and her life will be remembered.
    She was prayerful and a truly devout Catholic.
    We find comfort knowing Auntie Shirley is praying for us, in Heaven.
    v

  5. I’ll deeply miss you, Auntie Shirley. You’ve been a great figure in our Chua clan. The village that raised a child like me. And you were among the key figure in that. I admire, respect, and most of all love you dearly. I wish I could turn back the time, and spend more time with your company. Rest in peace, Auntie. Enjoy the company of the Lord Jesus’ love & mercy. Watch us from heaven.

  6. Mama, we were all blessed to have you in our lives. You were a shining example of a strong, smart, Christian woman that I aspire to be one day as well. We love and miss you!

  7. May your Heavenly Father be with you and the Family in your time of need. We are sending you our love and prayers in Jesus name. May the peace of God be with you all. Our heartfelt condolences to the family.

  8. Mrs. Shirley Diaz, my favourite former professor in Chemistry since I was 16 years old ( am 71 years old now) has been really a very special and important part of my life. She is indeed a very precious God-given gift to me and my family. As years passed by, I really became very close to her that I called her Tita Shirley and her husband Tito Pete. Tita Shirley shines the love, the joy and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ wherever she is. Her goodness and understanding and her faith and love of God touch the heart of every one she meets. She has a very blessed and happy life with her family but she knows how to share her blessings to others. She is indeed very generous to helping the poor and the needy as she has been generous to helping religious Congregations as well as my Congregation in our missions for the poor.
    Tita Shirley, God knows how I treasure you so much… but I surrender you with all my heart to your Creator. My loving sweet memories of you will always be in my heart … until we meet again, Tita Shirley… in Eternal Life. May you Rest In Peace in the Lord and I thank God and I thank you for being God’s precious gift to me and my family. My thoughts and prayers accompany Tito Pete and all your love-ones in the sorrows of your departure but in faith, we believe that you are closer to each one of us though we will miss your loving and caring presence physically however in faith and in the hope of resurrection, we believe that you are closer to us than before because you are no longer limited by time and space. We believe too that you are more alive than us… now, you have received the Eternal Life.,. Life of God without end!!! Love you lots, Tita Shirley… thank you so much for your love too!!! Praise the Lord for our loving sweet memories… till we meet again, Tita Shirley . Enjoy the bliss of heaven with all my loved ones whom you’ve met and known here on earth! Praise God for Eternal Life!!! Jesus promised: “He who believes in me will never die ” ?????????❤️????????Amen!!! Alleluia!!’

  9. My dearest, number one Mama, favorite person and best friend. I love you so much unconditionally, my heart aches. It is so painful to not see your face or hear your voice or answer your questions. I have known you since the day I was born as the most loving Grandmother on Earth. Your bar is so high, you could have surpassed those before you; only continuing to be a light of aspiration for me and others. I reach for the stars because of you, always out of good intention (not via some kind of complex). I had any confidence because of you, in what could be a rough world, that it can be easy. Your leadership and strength had others worry less, that is for sure. You lead us even into afterlife. Who you touched and what you contributed should leave you a place in books. I miss you so much. You will live on via all of us and definitely via everyone in my life, because I always, always talk about you. I’m blessed for the time I have with you; you’re such the genuine, kind, caring, sweet mom of my sweet mom. You are gone too soon at 86 years. Papa always wanted us to prepare for taking care of you in case something happens to him. This sudden illness rips our hearts in half, because your mind and intelligence and Genuine friendliness is at the top until your last days on Earth. We weep for you. Angels weeped for you, but you’re an Angel now. You always have been. I love you so much. I’ll be looking up at you towards Heaven and praying for you every day

    Your eldest Grand daughter
    Cheryl Gonzales

  10. My sincere condolences to the whole family. My thoughts and prayers to all she left behind. May you find consolation knowing she is home with our Lord and she is now in peace. Hugs to Tito Pete and all her children!

  11. Ninang Shirley,
    You are dear to both of us; but have always lack showing how much..You always have been a guide to us since our East Gate time. our wedding day and even the last time we visited you at your home in Temecula several years ago.
    Again, we missed your burial.
    We love your message, “I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
    Oh, so happy and so bright! Here’s perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.” Very true indeed!!
    Sincerest condolences to you loved ones… Thank you Lord Jesus, we pray.

  12. Our deepest condolences to the Diaz family. Shirley’s thoughtfulness, love and care for my mother Dolores and her siblings, Julie and Ofelia have no boundaries. Every year Shirley sends my mother a birthday card and a Christmas card offering prayers and love. Although my mother and Julie have passed away in 2020 and Ofelia passed away in 2021, we are still very thankful for Shirley’s thoughtfulness, love and care. I am Dolores’ son in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Eternal rest grant unto Shirley O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

  13. Our deepest condolences to the Diaz family. We pray to Lord to give you all the strength and support you need.” Rest in peace Tita!

  14. Pink candle represents how I think of Shirley: welcoming love both for self and others. Promotes joy, friendship, and harmony. With deepest sympathy to the entire Diaz family for your loss. May you take comfort in loving memory and the friends and family that surround you. May the pain you feel now be nothing compared to the joy found within the memories of Shirley. I feel blessed to have become acquainted with Shirley. We met as neighbors through the Neighborhood Watch program for our street, in which I am the block captain. She affectionately referred to me as “Captain”. I felt that she appreciated me going the extra mile when volunteering my time to serve in the community. Through many conversations, I came to know her not only as an intellectual, but as a kind and generous person with a tremendous love for God, her family, and her community. We became friends. Shirley was vigilant and a great supporter. Whenever there was any kind of issue, she would give me a call to see if I was aware of the circumstances. She would often bring back a souvenir gift for me when she returned home from her travels. Even in her illness, she showed her generosity by giving me some fruit from her garden just weeks away from her passing. She will be missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

  15. Red candle! I chose this color because red is your favorite color.
    These are ways you will always be remembered, “Your favorite things…”
    Mom, Thank You and more for all that you have generously and unconditionally done for us. Rest assured, all those selfless favors you have done for us will go no pointless and will be returned. Know I will return it with a promise that I will be at Howard’s side as long as he needs me. I bet that is something you would be happy about, right mom? Then it’s a Deal mom!♥️♥️♥️
    Temecula home will never be the same again without you.. We will miss your presence so much. We already do..
    Have a wonderful journey to heaven mom! Thank you for your selfless love and for blessing us, YOU!
    So Grateful for having the BEST mother to Howard & I and the BEST Mama to Bree?♥️
    One day, we will see you again and we will all rejoice ?♥️?
    Howard, Breanne & I love you very much ?♥️?
    Go in Peace Mom and be another Angel to us..???

  16. This is what they mean when they say God takes the best ones. My grandma was so kind-hearted and loving; she would call my mom and I everyday to check in with us, and remind us she loved us. I never realized how important those simple phone calls were. Now I do. She was also there for us, with unconditional support, when my dad had a stoke. My mom and I were broken, but she helped pick up the pieces and put us back together. She always believed in me no matter what. Whether it be doing well on a test, or winning America’s Got Talent, she believed I could do anything because she wanted what was best for me. I could always feel her strong love for me, and I hope she knows how much I love her. I will miss my dear grandma and her beautiful soul. I will miss our phone calls. I will miss her warm hugs and kisses. I will miss all the stories she told me about her life; she did so much good for so many people. I will miss praying with her; she was such a God-fearing person and she strengthened my love for the Lord. I will miss her calling me her “Bulilit” because I was the youngest in the family. I will forever be your Bulilit, Grandma. Fly high in Heaven! Heaven now has a piece of my soul. I love you so, so much! Until we meet again ♥️

  17. Violet flame symbolize light. Your passing away on earrth will give light not only to your families, relatives, friend but to the world. In this time of chias because of this pandimic, it needed to light us all. I will always remember you. You smile has the kindness of your heart. Rest in peace Ma’am Shirley

  18. We share your pain and grief in the loss of a beautiful, kind and loving Tita Shirley. Our deepest condolences. We pray for the repose of her soul and that our Almighty and Loving Father will grant her everlasting peace.


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