For Maria Diaz

This is Maria. She was an exemplary woman, mother, and friend. I’ve known her since her oldest, my mentee was in 7th grade. Maria was always the one volunteering for everything, putting tamales aside for me at the special events, and coming to all the college visits with us. My mentee is about to start her second year in college and her little sister just turned 15. Maria and I saw each other two weeks ago, talked about how we’d both been sick, and how there was something going around. She was doing better. But Monday, she started feeling tired. On Friday, she stopped breathing. Her youngest called an ambulance but they couldn’t resuscitate her. Saturday, my mentee texts me to tell me her mother died the day before.

She was in her early 40s and these girls still need her so so much.

The funeral cost is $11,000. Any amount you can provide will help.