Dorothy Rivera Diaz passed away peacefully on 12 February 2022, surrounded by family. She was 64 years old.
Dorothy, known as Doris, was beloved by many for her joyful and gentle nature, her faith, her kindness, and her love for family and friends. She was born in San Teodoro, Mindoro, Philippines on the 22nd February 1957. In 1986 she married Antonio Diaz and they lived together in Brisbane, Australia, where their only child, Andrea, was born. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, Mamu (grandmother), daughter, sister, and aunt. Even during many years of illness, she never complained or wavered in her joy for life, her good humour, her deep love of her grandkids, and her enduring faith.
A registered nurse who graduated as a certified midwife, Doris was a compassionate nurse and caretaker. She worked for 28 years in the Cognitive Assessment and Management Unit of The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. Doris’s Catholic faith was a central part of her life, and in addition to attending regular Mass and Adoration, she was a member of the Alliance of the Holy Family International. She had a great love for the Blessed Mother, practised the rosary daily, and prayed to St. Michael the Archangel.
Doris is lovingly survived by her husband, Antonio Diaz; her daughter, Andrea Villanueva and son-in-law Mark Villanueva in Brisbane, Australia; her brothers, Virgilio (Rosa) Rivera, Jr. and Dr. Joel (Adora) Rivera; her sisters, Leslie (Erwin) David and Dr. Maria Lourdes (Jomar) Patawaran of Texas, USA; her grandchildren, Sophia, Dominic, and Valerie Villanueva; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and relatives around the world. She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgilio and Marcela Rivera, and her sister, Dr. Rosemarie Rivera Garza.
Family and friends are invited to pay respects and say farewell to Doris.
Viewing details
Wednesday, 23rd February 2022
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
(5:30 pm Mass)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sandgate
118 Brighton Rd, Sandgate QLD 4017
Funeral details
Thursday, 24th February 2022
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sandgate
118 Brighton Rd, Sandgate QLD 4017
11:30 am Rosary
12:00 pm Funeral Mass
Burial to follow at 2:00 pm
at
Pinnaroo Cemetery
285 Graham Rd, Bridgeman Downs QLD 4035
Doris’ Thursday 24th funeral and graveside service will also be live-streamed, commencing at 11:30 am. Please use the below link to view the live stream:
Link
Swanborough Funerals is handling funeral arrangements; for information on flowers, streaming services, and more, please visit swanboroughfunerals.com.au.
You can contact us anytime of the day or night on 1800 100 411
We are looking forward to seeing you.
Our offices are located at:
10/59 Eastern Road,
Browns Plains QLD 4118
12 Comments
It was a great privilege to work with Dorothy for many years in the CAM Unit. She was the most kind, caring and conscientious nurse, always going above and beyond to deliver the best care to her patients.
She will always be remembered
We’ve known doris for many years. Her sense of humour and a happy nature was very contiguous. She love her grandchildren and talks about them a lot. Everytime we see her she always has a good joke to share
We tried to at least catch up every time they are down the coast. May God welcome you in his heavenly kingdom.
You will be deeply miss you!
It has been a profound privllege to have known Mrs. Diaz (whom I called Aunty Dorothy) since early childhood. She was a family friend – my older brother attended the same primary school as her only daughter.
To my family and I, she was always a warm, welcoming, convivial and sympathetic person; the sort of person who would ensure that you were accomodated, whatever the cost to her personally. Her husband was no different.
Signifying her closeness to my family and I, she was made my ‘parent’ for the purposes of receiving my communion in late 1997.
I last encountered her in late 2019, for a family dinner. Sitting beside me, she seemed in extremely good spirits, completely belying the illness that had tormented her for so many years. I had thought that she had defeated that particular illness. Sadly, illnesses of the type she suffered from are like monsters – they’re never truly defeated, but rather they lick their wounds before seeking to claim their ‘victim’ once more.
But it is best to not remember Mrs. Diaz as a ‘victim’. It is better to remember the accommodating, generous and genuine person that touched so many lives in positive ways, both in work and in her personal life. Truly, she was a Catholic who lived up to Jesus’ teachings of charity and kindness.
R.I.P. Mrs Diaz
From Rick, Bernardine, Gregory, Curtis and Amanda
Dear Doris,
Warmth is found through good and beautiful memories we shared. May you be blessed in your next life as we are in this life to have you as our dear friend.
Love and prayers,
Ruben and Alma
Diaz Family,
My deepest sympathies for your loss.
May Doris find her spiritual journey in the loving arms of her creator & give her everlasting peace.
May her soul rest in peace.🙏
Joseph C.
Tita Doris,
We will miss your gentle and loving spirit. We thank you for always loving unconditionally. May your sweet soul rest in eternal peace. We will miss you so much! We send our love to the Diaz and Villanueva family ❤️
— Lisa, Bobby, Kamryn & Solara Garcia
I worked with Dorothy for many many years at the Prince Charles Hospital. Dorothy was a very caring, patient and dedicated Nurse. Dorothy was also very caring to the staff she worked with. She always loved a laugh and a joke and we enjoyed many little Birthday, Christmas parties at work. Such a good person, gone to soon. Rest in Peace Dorothy. ❤
To our Rivera-Diaz family,
Our condolences to all of Doris’ family. We know Doris is at peace with our beloved sister-in-law, her sister Rose. Heaven is full of laughter, for sure.
Much love and sympathy from Texas, USA.
The Garza Family
Mom, Dad+
(Medora, Rey+, Garza, Betz, Richardson-Bates, Miller, Anzaldua Families
Thanks Marietta !
To Antonio and Andrea Diaz and family, and the Rivera family , our sympathies and prayers. Love, Francis and Dory Perez
You will always be missed Ate Doris. Thank you for always seeing me when you come home to Manila…
Thanks Vieve