Francisca P. Diago
May 28, 1909 ~ December 2, 2014
Francisca Panzardi Diago passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 9:30 p.m., with her daughter, Dorita D. O'Steen, and granddaughter, Frances S. Mitchem-Diago, by her side.
Francisca was born in 1908 in Mayagez, Puerto Rico, the fourth of 10 brothers and sisters born to Santiago Panzardi and his wife, Ins, all of whom she survived. One of her favorite movies was "Cheaper by the Dozen," which depicted the life of a large family at the turn of the last century, reminiscent of her own. Francisca lived up to her nickname, "La Grilla," or "The Cricket," earned by her many childhood exploits.
Francisca worked for several years as an instructor at Gladys de Castro's renowned aesthetician academy, and also opened and operated a beauty salon of her own. An avid traveler, she visited myriad places throughout Europe whenever she could. Eventually, she met and married Captain Hector M. Diago and they had a son, Carlos, and daughter, Dorita. After giving up working full-time to raise her family, she continued to lead an exemplary life, instilling optimism and courage in everyone with her caring ways, and becoming a second mother to those who knew her (and savored her cooking).
She is survived by her children; her daughter-in-law, Betsy Diago; her grandchildren, Annette Diago, Helen Ace, Iraida Diago, Michelle Meli, Charles Mitchem-Diago, and Frances, and her great-grandchildren, Eduardo, Natalia-Isabel, Sarah-Nicole, Aidan, Nicholas, Emma, and Jackson Carlos. Her memory will also be cherished by the Mitchem family, her niece Susie Babilonia, and her many surviving nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA, on Saturday, December 20 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Francisca was born in 1908 in Mayagez, Puerto Rico, the fourth of 10 brothers and sisters born to Santiago Panzardi and his wife, Ins, all of whom she survived. One of her favorite movies was "Cheaper by the Dozen," which depicted the life of a large family at the turn of the last century, reminiscent of her own. Francisca lived up to her nickname, "La Grilla," or "The Cricket," earned by her many childhood exploits.
Francisca worked for several years as an instructor at Gladys de Castro's renowned aesthetician academy, and also opened and operated a beauty salon of her own. An avid traveler, she visited myriad places throughout Europe whenever she could. Eventually, she met and married Captain Hector M. Diago and they had a son, Carlos, and daughter, Dorita. After giving up working full-time to raise her family, she continued to lead an exemplary life, instilling optimism and courage in everyone with her caring ways, and becoming a second mother to those who knew her (and savored her cooking).
She is survived by her children; her daughter-in-law, Betsy Diago; her grandchildren, Annette Diago, Helen Ace, Iraida Diago, Michelle Meli, Charles Mitchem-Diago, and Frances, and her great-grandchildren, Eduardo, Natalia-Isabel, Sarah-Nicole, Aidan, Nicholas, Emma, and Jackson Carlos. Her memory will also be cherished by the Mitchem family, her niece Susie Babilonia, and her many surviving nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA, on Saturday, December 20 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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To the Diago Family: Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Mother. I will always remember doNa “Pancha” as a wonderful person who truly cared about others. She lived her life surrounded by the love of her family and those who came to know her.
To the Diago-O’Steen Family, Our heartfelt condolences to your family on the passing of your beloved mother. We were fortunate enough to have known this wonderful woman who touched so many lives in the most positive manner ever -through her love, kindness and life of example. May she rest in peace and may the family find comfort in the wonderful memories she left for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Manuel, Maria Elena & Benjamin Dacoba
Lamento mucho la partida de Titi Tan. Siempre la recordar con mucho amor. Ya descansa en paz!
Lamento mucho la partida de Titi Tan. Siempre la recordar con mucho amor. Ya descansa en paz!