Irene A. Diaz

Irene (Abrego) Diaz, 87 of San Antonio, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 16, 2020. She was born on October 14, 1932 in Yorktown, Texas to the late Cecilia and Onesimo Abrego.

Irene graduated from Yorktown High School and achieved her LVN certification in Cuero working for a short time at Burns Hospital before transferring to Yorktown Memorial Hospital. In the late 1950s, she moved to San Antonio where she was a homemaker for several years before returning to her nursing career working in Long Term Facilities. She loved being a nurse. She retired at the glorious age of 80 from San Jose Nursing Center.

She enjoyed playing loteria with family and friends, while listening to great Tejano music. She looked forward to having yard sales to meet new people and making money. She liked food but loved sweets more. Irene loved the peaceful time being outdoors while enjoying the sound of birds and the fresh breeze.

Those who knew Irene best described her as a hardworking, woman of faith and loving mother and grandmother. As a single mother, her sacrifices and strength built the foundation for her daughters to achieve a higher education and be successful. She was a very proud mother and loved to be around her family always encouraging her girls and grandchildren to be their best. One of her daily rituals was praying the rosary. We will miss her compassion, her beautiful smile, and loving charm. Her motto being, “If you’re on time, then you’re late.”

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Kathryn Alvarez and Geralyn Diaz; grandsons, Phillip John Alvarez and wife, Yvonne and Nicholas James Diaz; great-grandchildren, Brandon Phillip Alvarez, Layla Kathryn Alvarez; brother-in-law Robert Molina and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Ofelia Gomez, Lydia Villarreal, Tomasita Amador, Rosita Molina and Pauline Vela; brothers, Robert Abrego and Onesimo Abrego Jr, and grandson Steve John Alvarez.

In lieu of flowers make a donation to St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 236 E Petaluma Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78221 or the Animal Care Services at https://www.sanantonio.gov/Animal-Care/How-You-Can-Help/Donate-Give-Back.