Catherine Diaz Palomares, 52, of San Diego, California, passed away on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at Scripps Memorial Hospital.

Catherine (Cathee) Diaz Palomares was born on March 7, 1972 in San Diego, California to Cipriano Dilema Diaz and Celia Yusay Diaz. As the daughter of a Naval officer, Cathee and her family relocated a number of times during her childhood, moving from San Diego to the Panama Canal Zone, then to Virginia Beach where Cathee spent the majority of her childhood years prior to high school. Once Cipriano retired from the Navy the Diaz family moved back to California where they eventually settled in Rowland Heights, California and Cathee attended Bishop Amat High School. After graduating from high school she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine and a master's degree from the University of the Rockies.

In addition to being a dedicated wife to Michael (Mike) Palomares and loving mother to her son Marcus Palomares, Cathee was known for her kindness, her beautiful smile, her love of her Filipino heritage, and for her deep faith. She was passionate about hula and was a member of the Heali'i Polynesian Revue family where she loved to dance, play ukelele and sing. She was an active member of the community at St Gregory the Great Catholic church and was involved for many years in youth faith formation. Cathee loved to vacation in Hawaii with her husband Mike and her son Marcus.

She is survived by her father Cipriano, husband Mike, son Marcus, sister Cheryl, brother Cyprian, brother-in-law Kyle and her niece Casey who will remember her for being a darling daughter, wonderful spouse and mother, and loving sister and auntie.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 5th from 4-8 p.m at the Poway-Bernardo Mortuary. A funeral will be held on Friday, December 6th at 2 p.m. at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Palomares family at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-palomares-family-in-loving-memory-of-cathee

The family would like to thank all our extended family and friends who have been so loving, supportive and kind during this difficult time.  We would also like to send a special thank you to the Heali'i Polynesian Revue for their tremendous love and generosity.

Lamentations 3:22-23
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Aloha ʻoe, aloha wau ia ʻoe Cathee.  You will forever be in our hearts.