It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend Evangelina (Eva) Leon Diaz has transitioned to the hands of our lord on March 31st, 2022 in Camarillo CA.
Her loving husband of 71 years, Lawrence Diaz, was holding her hand. She leaves behind two children, Linda (Terry) Callahan and Marty (Sonya) Diaz, two grandchildren, Ryan Callahan and Kevin Callahan, her sister Lupe Leon Ramos, many friends and a large extended family.
Born on August 2, 1930, in San Fernando CA, Eva was one of 6 children.
She spent her younger years in San Fernando and Fillmore, CA. From the ages of 5 to 13, she traveled North to Gridley CA for 3 months every year where she and her family picked produce. She referred to those times as “my camping years”.
As a proud woman of Mexican heritage, Eva experienced prejudice, segregation, discrimination and poverty in her younger life. She defied convention and overcame the many obstacles in her path, to gain an education and thrive in her professional life in the banking industry, drawing upon her innate intelligence, strong work ethic, devotion to her family and strong Catholic faith. She moved to Santa Barbara as an independent young woman, where she met her husband. After starting their life together in Santa Barbara, they moved to Ventura, CA in 1957. They were well known in the community where they owned and ran Larry’s Barber Shop and other salons for more than 35 years and were active members of Sacred Heart Church.
A beautiful and gentle woman, Eva was always impeccably dressed and styled, a true lady. She had many passions, including dance, athletics, travel, mathematics, crafts and crochet. Her love and commitment to her children was boundless and, with her husband, she ensured they had the opportunities, experiences and advantages she lacked as a child.
Eva joins her loved ones who have preceded her in death, including her beloved infant daughter Martha Marie, parents Nicolasa Zamudro Frias Leon and Gabriel Caballero Leon, grandparents, siblings, and numerous friends and family. Her gracious and lively presence will be deeply missed.
Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Neighbor Care Hospice and also to Atria Senior Living of Las Posas in Camarillo for their caring staff, excellent service and wonderful support.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to be held on Wednesday April 20, 2022 from 5 to 8pm in the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION (formerly Charles Carroll Funeral Home) 15 Teloma Drive Ventura, where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited in the chapel at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Daniel O’Sullivan Thursday April 21, 2022 at 10am in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 10800 Henderson Road Ventura. Interment will then follow in Bardsdale Cemetery, 1698 Sespe Street Fillmore. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org).