Rita M. Diaz, February 25th, 2016
Rita Mary Diaz (nee McLaughlin) was born on November 17, 1934 in Paterson, NJ to Leo Justin and Margaretta Regina (Madden) McLaughlin. She was the second-oldest of four children. Upon graduation from high school, she trained to become a radiation technologist, and worked at Columbia University –New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, where she met another radiology professional, Armando Diaz. Armand and Rita were married, moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey, and had two daughters, Judy and Sharon. The family moved to St. Louis in 1968, where Armand served as an administrator at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in the Washington University School of Medicine, and where Rita worked for several years as a real estate agent before retiring in the 1990's.
Rita spent significant time and effort in looking after her five grandchildren and supporting the careers of her children over the last 25 years. She was a loving mother and grandmother who cherished her friendships and loved to entertain, sew, and interior decorate. Rita is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother Lawrence McLaughlin. She leaves behind her two daughters, Judith (James) Myers and Sharon (Barrie) Bode; her five grandchildren, Jacob Myers, Brandon Bode, Alexander Bode, Ethan Bode and Natalie Bode; and her siblings Margaretta "Peggy" Lust and Leo (Barb) McLaughlin; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service is planned for this spring.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.