Diane Begay-Mendoza

Diana passed away peacefully on November 9, 2018. She is a part of the Dine (Navajo) Nation, born September 2, 1951 and raised in Coal Mine Mesa, Arizona. Her clans are Tsé deeshgizhnii – Rock Gap Clan, Chíshí – Chiricahua Apache, Bįįh bitoodnii – Deer Spring, Tábąąhi– Water’s edge. She has been a part of many native communities and spent much of the latter part of her life in Washington state near the Yakima Nation. She was of great service to the health of the community and worked as a Dental Assistant for 40 years. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, traveling to powwows and rodeos, supporting her grandchildren at powwows, watching and sponsoring Chicken Dance specials, raising livestock and barrel racing when she was younger. She loved to meet new people and made many friends. She was a prominent leader in the family and took responsibility for passing along the teachings and officiating when needed. There was never a bad bone in her body nor was there ever a frown on her face. May she continue her journey as she did here, walking in beauty, she is loved by many. She is survived by her husband Jose “Joe” Mendoza, daughter Ramalda Pete, her brothers and sisters, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her mother Emma Williams, sister Alice Gonnie , brothers Samuel Begay, Tyrone Begay and her sons, Bryon Begay and Ryan “Bo” Begay. Grandchildren; Bryon John “BJ” Adams, Natasha Lynn Adams, Tanisha Sue Begay, Calvin Begaye, Shania Kim Begaye, Nalani Patricia Pete, Tyrone Bryon “Sonny” Begaye, Kyrin Raymond Shirley, Beau Begay, Alec Hays, Tyrone Begay Great Grandchildren; Willis Adams, John Adams, Shatowi Meninick, Johnson “Baby Jay” Meninick, Bryanna Phillips. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Diane Begay-Mendoza, please visit our flower store.