Norma Raquel Diaz

Norma Raquel Mateos de Diaz, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Beehive Homes of American Fork, where she had resided for the past year and a half. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends and had been battling Alzheimer's disease.

Born on February 17, 1942, in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Norma was the daughter of Olivio Filomeno Mateos and Elvira Picorele. At the age of five, her family moved to Montevideo, Uruguay, where she lived until relocating to Venezuela on June 18, 1975. The family started moving to Utah in 1992 and she relocated to Utah in August 1994.

Raquel, as she was known to all, was a lifelong learner. She graduated from high school and pursued classes in the arts at college, although she dreamed of becoming a doctor. Her studies were cut short by a serious bout of Hepatitis, an illness that required six months of isolation. Despite not graduating, she remained an avid reader and cherished learning every day.

On June 18, 1964, she married William Artigas Diaz Milan in Rodo Chapel (LDS) in a ceremony officiated by Mario Leites. She was a devoted wife for 39 years until William's death on September 7, 2003. They met through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where they were baptized, and after several years of friendship, they began a relationship that led to marriage. Together, they raised five children: Gustavo, Alvaro, Fernando, Patricia, and Daniel.

For 15 years, Raquel worked as a dedicated janitor at R.C. Willey Furniture Store. Her coworkers admired her strong work ethic, punctuality, and resourceful problem-solving skills. She walked to work every morning and retired in the summer of 2015 when the store's new location would have required her to cross a busy street.

Raquel was a woman of many passions. She found joy in reading, whether it was the newspaper during her work breaks or books at home. She was an athlete in her youth, excelling in gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, javelin throw, and long jump. She was also a talented seamstress, taught by her mother to sew, crochet, and embroider. A beautiful singer, she was a constant presence in her school and church choirs. Raquel was also a natural counselor, drawn to psychology and young people. She would listen to anyone who needed a kind ear, and her compassionate nature meant she was always surrounded by those who sought her counsel.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in callings as a Primary teacher and Relief Society Counselor.

Above all, Raquel was a selfless and loving mother, wife, friend, daughter, and sister. She never complained and was always ready to help. She worked tirelessly to contribute to her family and always gave the best of herself.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Gustavo (Crisalida), Alvaro (“Dri”), Fernando (Ingrid), Patricia (Alejandro), and Daniel (Allison). She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Roxanna, Jessica, Brandon (Samantha), Amanda, Ethan, Samuel (children of Gustavo); Erick (Samantha), Adriana (Sydney), Alan (Catrina), Bella (children of Alvaro); Melinna, Lilianna, Nora, and Matthew (children of Daniel); eight great-grandchildren; and her brother, Wilfredo.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the LDS Cascade 1st Ward, located at 481 E. Center St., Orem, UT 84097.  A viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11: 15 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at the Orem City Cemetery. 

A Zoom video link will be shared for those who are unable to attend.