Emma O. Apodaca

CASA GRANDE - Emma O. Apodaca, 77, died on March 13, 2016, at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Apodaca was born on Sept. 4, 1938, in the old mining town of Ruby to Casimiro and Maria Olivas. She graduated from San Manuel High School in 1957, going on to nursing school in Tucson and becoming a licensed practical nurse. She worked for several years in Tucson and then at Hoemako Hospital in Casa Grande before becoming a full-time homemaker and grandmother. She moved to Yuma in 1982 with her family and returned to Casa Grande in 1994.

She enjoyed playing softball in her younger years, was an excellent seamstress, loved baking and cooking, and was known for her Christmas cookies and breads. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting with her beloved late husband. She especially loved spending time with her family, who called her Nana Emmy.

Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Diaz and Nora Maldonado of Casa Grande; five sons, Albert Diaz of Oracle, Joseph Garcia, Rene Quihuis and Robert Figueroa, all of Casa Grande, and Tommy Diaz of San Jose, California; a sister, Frances Gonzales of Sahuarita; 29 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco "Kiko" Apodaca; a son, Richard Diaz; and a sister, Maria Mejias.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, with rosary recited at 7. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.