Ana Estrella "Mama Nita" Diaz

Ana E. Diaz “Mama Nita” passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026 at the age of 99, surrounded by family. She is now reunited with our Heavenly Father and her husband, Pop Jose, her daughters Sylvia D. Garcia, Gloria D. Betts and her infant son Jose. Ana was born on July 25, 1926 in Jalisco, Mexico to Bernardino and Ramona Estrella. She married the love of her life, Jose on January 12, 1944. They shared 76 years of a loving marriage.

Ana worked for many years in the chile canning business, La Chileria and was also a homemaker. Mama Nita was an excellent cook and she made everything and anything taste great! We will miss her homemade salsa most of all, in addition to her fabulous pozole and tamales. Ana enjoyed annual trips to Lake Tahoe and trips to the Chumash Casino with her family. Previously, she enjoyed her annual birthday trips to Las Vegas with her daughters and granddaughters. All these trips had one thing in common, being with family and playing slot machines. We were so blessed to have her in our lives for all the wonderful years we had her.

She is survived by her children, Lupe (Suzie) Diaz, Jess (Maria) Diaz, Marty (Steve) Jensen, Ralph Diaz and sons-in-laws, David Garcia and Bruce Betts. In addition, she is survived by 16 grandchildren; Diane (Greg) Lara, Erica (Mike) Mallett, Denise (Octavio) Silveyra, Jos Diaz, Jess Diaz, Angel Diaz, Robert (Marla) Diaz, Ralph Diaz, Jojo Diaz, Jaci Rubio, Danielle Diaz, Ana Diaz, Gabriel (Melissa) Aguilar, Stephanie (Bryan) Lozon, Christopher Betts, Samantha Betts (Jake), 24 great- grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, Jonah.

We would like to thank all of Mama Nita’s neighbors for their unwavering support these past few years.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 500 North Juanita Ave., Oxnard with burial to follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, Oxnard.

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