Cecilia Diaz

Cecilia Rose Diaz, 83, lovingly known to her family as Mom and Grandma, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, surrounded in life by the love of a family she devoted herself to building and nurturing.

Born Cecilia Rose Oropeza on April 16, 1943, in Kansas City, Kansas, she was the only child of Paul M. Oropeza and Martha Gonzalez Oropeza.

A Love Story That Began with Friendship

Cecilia's love story with her husband, Armando G. Diaz, began with a chance encounter at a restaurant, where Armando first met the woman who would become his wife. As fate would have it, their paths crossed again through an unexpected connection. Armando played soccer with a young man who happened to know Cecilia's family. Through that connection, Armando and Cecilia were reunited, and what began as a friendship gradually blossomed into love.

After two years of friendship and courtship, they knew they wanted to spend their lives together. On February 11, 1961, Cecilia and Armando eloped to Miami, Oklahoma, where they were married in a civil ceremony. Later that year, on July 29, 1961, they celebrated their marriage in the Catholic Church.

Their love story grew into a marriage that lasted more than 65 years, filled with shared experiences, cherished memories, and the family they built together. What began as a chance meeting became a lifelong partnership and a legacy of love that continues through their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and generations to come.

A Life Guided by Faith

Cecilia's Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life and an important part of the home she built with Armando. Together, they raised their six children with a strong foundation of faith, family, love, and devotion to God.

Cecilia and Armando attended Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Cecilia held a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother, and found comfort and strength in praying the Holy Rosary.

Her faith was woven into the everyday life of her family, from the prayers they shared to the traditions and values she lovingly passed down through generations. Through her example, Cecilia taught her family the importance of prayer, compassion, kindness, and keeping God at the center of their lives.

A Life Filled with Love, Family, and Tradition

Cecilia's greatest joy was her family, and she had a special way of making everyone who entered her home feel loved and welcomed. Her door was always open, and no one ever seemed to leave without something to eat or a little something to take home. Whether family or friends stopped by for a visit, Cecilia would insist they sit down while she prepared something for them. Taking care of others wasn't simply something she did; it was who she was.

She loved cooking, especially preparing her homemade soups and traditional Mexican dishes that her family enjoyed throughout the years. One of her most cherished traditions was making tamales at Christmas, bringing family together around food, laughter, and memories. That tradition continues today, a lasting reminder of the love and family values she passed down through generations.

Cecilia had a special love for the holidays and birthdays. She made every celebration feel important, ensuring that each family member felt remembered and loved. She enjoyed crocheting, watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs play football, and, most of all, spending time surrounded by the people she loved.

As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Cecilia devoted countless hours to caring for her family. She helped raise generations of children, babysitting her grandchildren and even some of her great-grandchildren. Her love and nurturing spirit became a constant presence in their lives.

Her Loving Family

Cecilia is survived by her beloved husband of more than 65 years, Armando G. Diaz, and their six children:

Diana Adams and her husband, David Adams; Irene Lopez and her husband, Carlos Lopez, Jr.; Armando Diaz Sr. and his wife, Jennifer Diaz; David Diaz; Cathy Ritz and her husband, James Ritz; and Paul Diaz.

She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren and their families:

Through Diana: Calvin Norwood III and his partner, Ashley; Briana James and her husband, Elijah; and Angela Foster. Her great-grandchildren include Carter, Hailey, Braedyn, and Micah.

Through Irene: Franchesca Lopez; Gabrielle Kelly and her husband, Anthony; Joshua Lopez; and Xavier Lopez. Her great-grandchildren include Carlos, Addison, and Xavier.

Through Armando Sr.: Armando Diaz Jr. and his fiancée, Elizabeth Jones; Alexandria Hennager and her husband, Preston; Andrew Diaz and his wife, Madison; Hope Nuessle and her husband, Noel III; and Annabella Diaz and her longtime partner, Jaxxon Hanschu. Her great-grandchildren include Isabella, Benicio, Armando M., Noel, Lilly, Cora, Aiden, Kieran, Ashlynn Mae, and Noel IV.

Through Cathy: Anjelic LaPoint and her partner, Bryan Adams; the late Sean Paul LaPoint; and Philip LaPoint and his partner, Madison Hawks. Her great-grandchildren include Phoenix, Aries, Allison, Audrey, Lucas, Lucienne, and Vivienne.

Cecilia was also blessed with a great-great-granddaughter, Inara Newman-Williams, daughter of Allison Williams and her partner, Michael Newman.

Preceded in Death

Cecilia was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Paul M. Oropeza and Martha Gonzalez Oropeza, and her cherished grandson, Sean Paul LaPoint.

A Legacy of Love

Cecilia will be remembered for her generous heart, her welcoming home, her delicious cooking, her devotion to her Catholic faith, and the countless ways she made everyone around her feel loved.

Her legacy lives on in every family gathering, every birthday celebrated, every Rosary prayed, and every Christmas tamale lovingly prepared. The traditions she began, the faith she shared, and the love she gave will continue to bring her family together for generations.

Although she will be deeply missed, the love Cecilia shared throughout her 83 years will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

May she rest in eternal peace, embraced in the loving arms of our Blessed Mother and our Lord.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026 with a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00am and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, both at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, located at 12800 W 75th Street, Shawnee, KS 66216. She will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas following Mass.