Mary Esther Diaz

Ms. Mary Diaz, 69, a resident of Denver, Colorado died on November 19, 2020. Mary was born on March 28, 1951 in Ogallala, Nebraska to Salvador and Cidelia Diaz. She was raised in Brule, NE and moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1972 to attend the University of Colorado. Following college, she worked at the Student Admissions and Services Office at the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado for 34 years.

Upon her retirement in 2010, Mary spent her days volunteering for numerous organizations. Mary was an outstanding volunteer for Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization (CLLARO) and Colorado Latino Forum (CLF). Mary also spent significant time volunteering at KUVO (where she volunteered for the last 15 years), the Mile Chapter of the American GI Forum, worked with the Colorado Hispanic Nurses Association, and was the chair of the Board of Trustees at the Mile High Chapter.

Mary was a pillar of Colorado's Latino community who dedicated her life to helping others. Her tremendous generosity across the years touched the lives of many. She served on the Board of the Latino Alumni Association of the University of Colorado for 25 years, where she coordinated the annual golf tournament and dinner/dances, always with an eye toward recruiting Latino students to the University. Mary also served on the Board of Directors of the University of Colorado-Boulder Alumni Association.

Mary's hard work did not go unnoticed and she was recognized with the Thomas Jefferson Award in 2007, Employee of the Year in 2008 and Campus Diversity in 2009. In 2016, Mary was named an Unsung Heroine by the Latinas First Foundation.

Mary was a lifelong football fan especially of her beloved Colorado Buffalos and Denver Broncos. She also enjoyed baking, going out to eat, spending time with her sister and many friends, shopping, and listening to music especially KUVO's Cancion Mexicana on Sunday mornings.

Throughout the years, Mary opened her heart, shared her laughter, gave of her time, and served as the biggest cheerleader for so many in our community. She said "yes" was her favorite word. Mary overcame many health challenges over the years. She was resilient. Mary passed away after leading a life full of love, strength, perseverance, joy, and passion. Her contagious smile and laugh and that loving twinkle in her eye will be missed by many.

Mary is survived by her sister, Sylvia Hernandez, her brother Tim (Kate) Diaz, three uncles, one aunt, nine nieces and nephews, nine great nieces and nephews, and countless good friends including Drew Mirque who had given Mary a second chance at life with a kidney donation a few years ago. She was preceded in death by parents Salvador and Cidelia Diaz and sister Irma Diaz.

Services will be at St. Bernadette's Church, 7240 W. 12th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80214 with a Vigil Service on Friday, February 26 at 7pm and Saturday February 27th with Confession at 9am and Mass beginning at 10am. Due to COVID restrictions, we are limited to 125 attendees.

Please respond by text to Wanda Mauro-Garcia at 720-240-3545 or Rachael Dina at 303-656-8221.

To share a special memory or condolence message with Mary's family, please visit the guestbook below.