Long-time Leader of Hispanic Community at Saint Athanasius Dies
Sister Diana Petz, RSM, died on July 9, at age 85. Born in Buffalo, New York, she moved with her family to Los Angeles where she attended Bishop Conaty Memorial High School and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1950. Her religious name was Sister Mary Lucia. Sister then spent the next 25 years in elementary education at Saint Gabriel School and Saint Peter’s School, San Francisco; Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Bakersfield; Saint Pius X School and Saint Aloysius School, Los Angeles; and Saint Catherine’s School, Burlingame. She also served as principal at Our Lady of Guadalupe for six years and at Saint Peter’s for five years.
Her experience at Saint Peter’s prompted her to begin a new ministry, and after studying Spanish she moved to Saint Athanasius Parish in Mountain View as associate pastor to the Hispanic Community.
She became a beloved leader as advisor, counselor and liturgy coordinator. She prepared families for baptism and marriage.
In 2001, Sister Diana was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal for her outstanding work in the parish, one of the highest awards the Vatican gives. Sister Diana retired to Marian Oaks Life Center in 2014 and spent her last seven months at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland.
She is survived by her brother Tony and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.