Cecile Elizabeth Walton Diaz

June 16, 1938 to October 12, 2012

Surest Measure

Some measure their lives by days and years, 

Others by heart throbs, passions and tears;

But the surest measure under the sun,

Is what in your lifetime for others you have done.

                 

                                  --Ruth Smetzler

Mom gave the above poem to Robert for his 13th birthday.  It struck him as something mom wanted him to remember.  He's kept it to this day.  

Dear Friends and Family -- lucky us -- as we were the others of mom's lifetime.

Mom passed away on a Friday, at home, surrounded by her family, after a valiant and spirited battle with cancer. 

Cecile Elizabeth Walton Diaz was born in Smoot, Wyoming, the youngest daughter, and second youngest of five brothers and sisters: Howard, Ralph, Doris, Hazel and Floyd.  Her lineage came to America from Great Britain, when Thomas Walton sailed here sponsored by the Perpetual Emigration Fund, a corporation established by Brigham Young to bring Mormons to America to work.  

Robert Raymond Walton and Edith Francis Lindberg brought mom to the world in June 1938.  The Germans had just invaded Austria and America was n the mode of sacrificing for the war.  In the small town of Smoot Wyoming, mom grew up farming on the family’s land where she milked the cows before going to school, and sometimes walked three miles in the snow to get there.  

After graduating from Star Valley High School, Cecile began her lifelong adventure consisting of career, travel and, most of all, family.  After moving to San Francisco as a bright-eyed 18 year old, she lived with her sister Doris and experienced what she described as culture shock…not because of Doris though.   The 50’s were an era of beatniks, big cars, television and James Dean…not to mention that  coming from a town of less than 200 people was a little different than this big city.  But she took the risk and stayed.  She worked for Farmers Insurance followed by a 25 year career as a long distance telephone operator for Pacific Bell where  she experienced first hand dramatic changes in technology.

    

She and my dad met on a blind date facilitated by his brother Walter and my mom’s girlfriend and roommate Jan. She’d often gone over to the Diaz house with Jan, and had seen my dad’s picture on display.  He was away – in Japan in the airforce during the Korean war.   He often describes their meeting as an answer to his prayers.  “I had to travel the world to find her” --   from Puerto Rico to San Francisco to Japan and back to finally meet the girl of his dreams.  On February 8, 1958 she married the love of her life, and soon after the family came.  

First Rhonda, then Robert, then Denise.  We remember her saying she had “three under three,” but loved fulfilling the calling of her life…because it was with family that she was her happiest.  She was a homemaker during the day and a working girl at night, leaving dinner ready for us kids when Dad came home.  

Education was very important to my mom and dad, both formal and that of the arts and music.  Growing up, it was never a question of whether we were going to go to college or beyond, just a matter of which university it would be.  She and my dad gave us music and dance and scraped to make sure we kids had those lessons, and practiced regularly.  She encouraged -- didn't make -- us practice our music, and so practice -- while still a lot of work -- was also fulfilling.  She taught us discipline and the will to succeed.  She, along with my dad, propelled us kids to believe we could actually   achieve anything.  

After surviving the tumultuous ‘60s of San Francisco – hippies, riots, protest, peace and love and school busing -- We moved to Hayward in the early 1970’s.  The country girl was back in the country again.  She proudly attended our high school graduation and college graduations, guided us through becoming young adults and bittersweetly let us out into the world.  

She and my dad spent every wedding anniversary together in special celebration. On their 25^th, we threw them a surprise party   where dear Bishop Sylvester was there to renew their wedding vows.

Upon retirement, mom enjoyed her status as a member of the AT&T Pioneers, and started a successful real estate investment company.

They packed a full life into their 54 years together. 

One Phd, weddings…and Grandkids followed.  First with my son Seth, and then her dear Danielle and Connor from Denise and Curt.  She prized these grandchildren.  After retirement, she and my dad became real travel buffs, and brought their grandchildren on many trips…Disneyland, Hawaii, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Puerto Rico.    It was important that they spent time building good memories and adventures together.  She loved going to their sports games, concerts, plays, and any other event.  Buying them a special treat was always worth the smile.

My mom was a real adventurer…and maybe that’s why she signed up for the crazy adventure of marrying my dad.  She married into this spirited Puerto Rican culture and cast of characters.  She loved it though, and hosted many family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

They traveled the world together – from Cabo to New York.  From the snow tipped mountains of Banff Canada to the beaches of Hawaii.  From the pyramids of Chichen Itza to the pyramids in Washington DC.  One of her most cherished trips was a family vacation we all took together to my dad’s homeland of Puerto Rico.  Another was our last family get together in homeland Wyoming at the Walton Reunion at Cottonwood Lake.  

These two -- They lived life.  From the humble beginnings of a home with no running water to their home on the hill…she figured out how to dance the dance of life beautifully.

She was an adored aunt and great-aunt.  As far as I can tell, she was an aunt or great-aunt to over 20 nieces and nephews. 

We are all thankful for the years we were blessed with her tender heart, her gentle ways, her love of nature and the kindness she showed to all creatures great and small.  She lived a life of elegance, grace, courage, integrity and dignity.    We will never forget the lessons she taught us.  

She was truly a triumphant choreographer of a life well lived.  

In accordance with Cecile's wishes, the family asks that any donations be made to Stanford Cancer Institute

3172 Porter Drive, Suite 210, Palo Alto, CA  94034. www.sanford.edu/help/gift.html

 Please specify that the donation be applied towards research in non small cell lung cancer in memory of Cecile E. Diaz.