Penny May Diaz

Penny crossed over at the age of 48 to be with the lord on March 31st, 2017 in her hometown of San Diego, California while on a trip to visit beloved friends. Penny was born to Mary Henry (Cabral) and John C. Henry on May 13th, 1968. She attended Castle Park High School for her education. Penny was a Jill-of-all-trades and had many interesting skills ranging from car repair to computer software. Regardless of the task at hand, she would find a way to complete it and do it well. Penny was a doer, and in doing things when she needed to she taught her children that they could be doer’s as well. Whether it was taking things like fans or game systems apart to clean them and put them back together, or even something as simple as a deep cleaning, Penny did it her children absorbed it and learned how to do it as well. Penny had an affinity for country music and to her kids’ embarrassment whenever she dropped her little ones of at school you could hear it blaring! In particular, Penny loved the band “Rascal Flatts”, so much so, that she tried to attend every one of their concerts that came to her area. As a mother, she instilled core values and strengths in her children that put them a step ahead of others their age in life. These include a solid work ethic, patience, self-confidence, determination, and an indomitable will. She always taught her children to stand up for themselves and what they believe in and courtesy of that you will never see one of them back down or lose faith in their beliefs. Her children are forever grateful for her life lessons. Burdened with a degenerative genetic spinal disorder that onset in her early thirties Penny spent every day of the last 15+ years of her life in debilitating pain, yet she somehow still managed to spread joy and touch those that she loved. It goes without saying that when Penny loved, she loved hard. Those she loved felt it in the small but thoughtful ways she expressed it and she wasn’t afraid to show it. The loss of Penny creates a greater void than any could have imagined and we are left wishing that we had more time or had pushed just a little bit harder regarding her health. Our advice to those we love is to push harder and spend more time with the ones you love so you are not left with the same wishes and regrets. Penny was one-of-a-kind, and The Queen B to those who knew and loved her. Penny did the best she could with the cards she was dealt in life and this is not taken for granted by her children or friends. Our hearts will forever be broken by her sudden and tragic passing but we know she is finally pain-free and dancing again in her cowgirl boots. Living family members include her greatest supporter and step-father Norman Delisle of Sacramento, eldest son David Diaz of San Diego, only daughter Tori (Joshua) Riegler of Davis, and youngest son Calvin Henry of Davis. Sisters, Janet Davis of Sacramento, Cheryl (Paul) Levierge of Virgina Beach, VA, Christine Peterson of Desert Hot Springs, and brother John (Carolyn) Henry of Chula Vista. Penny also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her biological father, mother, sister Balinda Smith, and nephew Adam Smith. No funeral services will be held. Per Penny’s request she is to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Spondylitis Association of America to help with their mission to be a leader in the quest to cure ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases, and to empower those affected to live their lives to the fullest.