Alesbia C. Diaz

Alesbia Casas Diaz was born to Cruz and Teodoro Casas on September 11, 1921 in Cotulla, Texas. She was the youngest of four siblings. She passed peacefully on June 22, 2022 in her home in Norwalk, CA. She is survived by her only child, Vicente Diaz, Jr., his wife, three grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She attended primary in the same school where President Lyndon B. Johnson began his career as an educator in 1928. She would often share stories of her childhood with her family and how she was a tomboy who loved dolls. She still had two dolls her father had given her when she was a young girl; she proudly displayed them in her living room.  She learned to sew alongside her mother and would play with the ranch animals with her older brother, David (Uncle Chito).

When WWII began, she moved to Illinois to live with her older sister, Aurora (Tia Goya) and her brother-in-law. Alesbia supported the war effort by becoming a “Rosie the Riveter” working at Western Foundry Company.  She shared her memories of her life during wartime such as the factory work, the food rations, the curfews and how the women would draw the line on the back of their legs due to silk and nylon stocking shortages which were materials needed to make parachute products and powder bags for the U.S. military.

It was during this period in her life that she moved to Los Angeles, California and met the man who would become her husband, Vicente Diaz, Sr. They met at the flower shop in downtown Los Angeles that she had opened with her oldest sister, Chavela. Vicente used to work in the vicinity and would often meet her for lunch or to accompany her home. They bonded over their home state of Texas, their love of family, dancing, and the beauty of life. They married in a small ceremony 1952 in their home surrounded by her parents, family members and friends. They had a son, Vicente Diaz, Jr.  on December 26 of that same year who would be their only child.

The family settled in Los Angeles where Alesbia became the caregiver for the ill and the elderly in the neighborhood. She was known for her beautiful Easter lilies and flower gardens as well as her famous baking skills.  She and her husband attended numerous dances and parties at the local VFW and American Legion halls and celebrated holidays like New Year on the Queen Mary.  She also traveled with her husband and son to Texas and vacationed in Yosemite, Death Valley, Mexico and Palm Springs.

In 1990, she and her husband moved to Norwalk, California into which would be her final home. She cared for her ailing husband while enjoying the love and company of her family and friends.

 “Big Grandma”, as she was lovingly known, was a comforting figure in her community and church. She was someone that could be depended on for anything, big or small. She loved to laugh, sing and chat with her friends and family over coffee, or for hours on the telephone. She loved a great dress, pearls, pink lip stick and a good hairdo.

 A family friend would always say, “Your grandma is always the most elegant lady in the room”.

Now, she and her beloved husband are the most elegant couple in heaven. We love you, Big Grandma.

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