Francis "Kika" Diaz Valencia

On July 4th, 2023 Francis “Kika” Diaz Valencia,79, passed away peacefully in her home in Newman, California. Kika is survived by her remaining children; Francisca “Kikita” Valencia, Veronica “Ronnie” Valencia and Miguel Valencia Jr. As well as her grandchildren; Jesse Ruiz, Francisca “Maria” (Oscar) Salazar, Isaac Valencia, Miguel Valencia lll, Francisco “Panchito” Valencia and her first great grandchild to be, Salem Salazar. Along with her former husband Miguel (Lourdes) Valencia and her siblings; Domingo “Mingo” Diaz, Ester Diaz, Virgie Diaz, Benny (Angie) Diaz, Roy Hernandez and numerous family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Porfirio Diaz and Asencion “Chona” Gonzales Diaz, her daughter Maria Asencion Valencia and her siblings; Kelly and Margaret Diaz, Esperanza “Tanta” Diaz, Johnny Diaz, Ernesto “Neto” Diaz, Terry and Tony Alvarez, Susie Hernandez, Helen Rivas Diaz and her 4 young siblings that passed away in early childhood. Originally from Castroville, California, Kika is one of 15 children from parents Porfirio and Chona Diaz. After getting married in 1968 her and Miguel Valencia settled in Santa Clara, CA where they bought a home and raised four children together. Tragically, in 1993, Kika suffered the devastating loss of her 15 year old daughter Maria- a heartbreak that no mother should ever have to endure. Yet Kika was a fighter and she persevered through all of life’s challenges as a force to be reckoned with. It is this strength and fire that she passed down to her children and grandchildren. Through these hardships Kika learned to appreciate the little joys of life even more. Whether it was shopping, going to the casino, family get-togethers, random road trips or having lunch with friends. In fact, one of the most notable ways she showed love was through her wonderful cooking. So many memories of Kika involve a warm kitchen and laughter around the dinner table over plates of her delicious food. Kika was fiercely independent, bold, stubborn and sarcastic but she was also gentle, thoughtful, understanding and funny. She accepted people for who they were and she loved them wholeheartedly. It is for these reasons and many more that she will be forever loved and missed. A visitation will be held for her on Thursday, July 13th from 1-6pm with a Rosary Prayer Service at 5pm at Healey Mortuary Chapel. Her Funeral Mass will take place Friday, July 14th at Our Lady of Refuge Church in Castroville at 11am followed by burial at Castroville Cemetery District in Moss Landing, Ca.