Reina Margaret Diaz

Reina Margaret Howe Diaz, 76, of Casa Grande died on Dec. 8, 2013, at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

Rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 by the Rev. John Arnold.

Mrs. Diaz was born on Nov. 22, 1937, in Rapid City, S.D., and was one of nine children born to Bob and Etta Howe. After high school she joined a convent but left after serving 13 years and deciding that was not what God had planned for her. She met Joe Diaz and married on Jan. 2, 1972. They moved from Tucson and settled in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and had four children. She worked as a medical technician for many years and also as a technology and career center technician at Arroyo Grande High School until retiring in 2000. She attended St. Patrick’s Church for 29 years.

In 2005 they moved to Casa Grande for the warm climate and to live close to friends and family. She attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande. In her final years she loved to sew, quilt and spend time with family. During her life, she gave generously to others and always found strengths in the people she loved and not their weaknesses. She cared for others in times of sickness and gave her time and money unselfishly.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Pat, David and Danny Howe. She is survived by her husband of nearly 42 years; three sisters, Leona Schroeder and Helen Linquist of South Dakota and Earla Karels of Nebraska; two brothers, Bob Howe of Virginia and Stan Howe of South Dakota; three daughters and a son, Vickie Roberts of Murrieta, Calif., LeeEtta Ennis of Roseville, Calif., Manny Diaz of Los Angeles and Maria Larsen of Roseville; and seven grandchildren.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.