Felipa Gonzales Diaz

May 7, 1943 – October 10, 2023

Felipa Gonzales Diaz, a cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Fennville, Michigan, on October 10, 2023. Born on May 7, 1943, in China, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, she was a woman of great spirit and boundless love, who touched the lives of many with her kindness and warmth.

Felipa was the beloved daughter of Felipe and Maria Gonzales. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Juvencio, and by her son, Otniel Diaz.

Felipa was a beacon of support and love throughout their life together. Felipa was a devoted mother, and her legacy continues to thrive through her surviving children; Maria E. (Francisco) Rodriguez, Virginia Sanchez, Teresa VanderHart, Esperanza (Guadalupe, Jr.) Rodriguez, Olivia (Norberto) Chavez, Juvencio (Flor) Diaz, Jr., Martha Diaz, Sandra Diaz, Esther Scheerhooren, Daniel (Alberta) Diaz, Josue Diaz and Noemi (Felipe) Diaz-Miguel, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her family was the center of her universe, and she was the golden thread that kept everyone connected.  Felipa began her career as a food canner in Fennville, a job that she performed with dedication and diligence. Later in life, she transitioned into the role of a homemaker, where she found her true calling. Felipa created a home filled with love, warmth, and the tantalizing aroma of home-cooked meals. Her hands were rarely still, as she was always engrossed in nurturing her family and her home.

Possessing a green thumb, Felipa found great joy in flowers and gardening. She had a particular fondness for growing tomatoes and peppers, which added a special zest to her culinary creations. Her love for the soil was only matched by her passion for needlework. Felipa was a master of crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and embroidery, creating intricate and beautiful works of art that mirrored her inner beauty and resilience.

Felipa Gonzales Diaz was a woman of grace, strength, and unwavering devotion. Her life was a testament to the power of love, the sanctity of family, and the joy of simple pleasures. She has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on, not only in the stories that will be told and the tears that will be shed, but also in the laughter, the shared meals, and the love that will continue to bind her family together.

As we bid farewell to Felipa, we celebrate a life well-lived. Her spirit will forever bloom in the gardens she loved, and her legacy will continue to stitch the fabric of our lives together. Felipa Gonzales Diaz, you are deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Friends may meet with the family at Chappell Funeral Home on Monday, October 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the Funeral Service beginning at 7:00 PM.  A visitation will also be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Chappell Funeral Home with a procession to Fennville Cemetery for a Graveside Service at 11:30 AM.