Maria Eugenia Diaz was born on June 3, 1948, in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, to the late Marcos Rivera and Sara Rivera. She moved to New York in the early 1970s and then moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she resided for over 45 years. She entered rest on February 12, 2023, at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville N.C., surrounded by family and friends
Maria attended American Training in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she received her GED along with learning English. She was proud of these accomplishments and instilled in her sons the importance of an education.
Maria was a loving mother, and she dedicated her life to her four sons and grandchildren. She enjoyed church services, especially when they were held at her home in Lawrence. Maria was a very special woman. Anyone who knew her would go to her for help or advice, knowing that she would do what she could to help.
Maria was predeceased in death by her parents, Marcos Rivera and Sara Rivera; her sister, Virginia Rivera; and her nephew, Juan Barreto (Kako).
Maria leaves to cherish her memory Jose Antonio Diaz and four sons, Jose “Chelo” Diaz (Theresa) of Fayetteville, N.C.; Santos Diaz (Damaris) of Methuen Mass.; Marcos Diaz (Brissa) of Nashua, N.H.; and Armando Diaz (Miletzy) Deltona, Fla.; her special niece, Maria Cruz Rivera (Elliott) of Lowell, Mass.; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five sisters; four brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville at noon on March 18, 2023.
