May (Belcher) Diaz

May Diaz passed away peacefully on June 21, 2022. She was 96 years old.

May was born in Macon, Mo., on Feb. 3, 1926, to Clifford and  Daisy (Thompson) Belcher. In 1944, May and her brother, Bud, moved to Seneca. In Seneca, May worked as a bookkeeper for Edward Hines Lumber Company. Soon after, she moved to John Day to work for Judge John Howell. It was there she met her future husband, Avel Diaz.

Avel and May married on Aug. 11, 1948. They made their home in John Day until 1952 when they purchased the Quality Cleaners in Burns. They ran the business until they sold it in 1982. May and Avel continued to work. May started working as a secretary for attorney Wendel Gronzo. Avel worked for the county as Harney County Clerk. After 12 years, they finally retired and would go camping as often as they could.

May loved to cook and was an excellent seamstress. May hand stitched beautiful quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She loved to crochet and needlepoint, but most of all, she loved her flower garden. She was devoted wife, mother and Granny to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

May was preceded in death by her husband, Avel; her son, Tony; brother, Clifford (Bud) Belcher; sister, Dora Belcher; and her companion for 10 years, Bud Lohf.

May is survived by her children, Gene (Teresa Red) Diaz, of Grants Pass, Donita (Keith) Jordan, of Burns, Mike Diaz, of Portland, and Beebee (Phillip) Sitz, of Burns; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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