Marie Catherine Dias

Obituary for Marie Catherine Dias

Marie (Cathy) Dias was born in Lemoore, CA to Mary and Manual Azevedo Sr. on April 30, 1934. She grew up at 5 Corners in Lemoore where her parents had a gas station, soda shop and pool hall. She used to tell us about how short she was that she needed a milk crate to stand on to clean the windshields of gas station customers. Later in life she would say that she wasn't very good at playing pool and then wipe the table (no doubt from her years of practice at the pool hall!)

As a child her parents would visit Shell Beach and later her parents moved to Grover Beach for a short time and then finally to Hinds Avenue in Pismo Beach. It was in downtown Pismo Beach while working as an usherette at the Pismo Movie Theatre that she met her husband-to-be Joseph Dias (who worked across the street at the Pismo Bowling Alley). On April 21, 1952, they were married at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pismo Beach.

While Joe was in the Navy and based in San Diego, they had their first child (Mark). They soon moved to the town of Niles in Fremont, CA. There they had another child (Marvin) and later they moved to Centerville district in Fremont and had their third boy (Myron). Many of her longtime and dearest friends were met in San Diego, in the apartments in Niles, and while living in the house in Fremont. And in true form, Cathy made more dear friends when she moved back to Pismo as well. She always was a little bit of a social butterfly. 

She lived in Fremont and worked at Sears & Roebuck in Hayward for nearly 30 years. It was then she started using her first name "Marie" at work as her boss's name was also Cathy. During this time while working at Sears full time, she went back to school to get her GED and proudly graduated to the admiration of her family and friends. Also, during this time, she celebrated her 25th Anniversary with Joe with a big party in Fremont.

One of her greatest shocks and heartbreaks was suddenly and unexpectedly losing Joe at the young age of 50. Cathy had to completely reinvent herself with the support of friends and family.

After her mother, Mary (Azevedo) Mello passed, she moved back to Pismo Beach in her childhood home in the downtown area. She obtained work at the local Sears store for awhile and then transitioned to part-time work at Sparkles and Sage Boutique (right up her alley) as well as a few other ventures.

Throughout the years one of her favorites things to do was go dancing and listen to music. She and her husband Joe many times would clear the dance floor to amaze everyone with their dancing skills doing the jitterbug and more. While in Pismo, she was known to occasionally visit Harry's (always with a friend or two) and enjoy the music. She loved parties. She and Joe had many get-togethers and later in Pismo she had various parties. She loved to entertain and was a premiere hostess.

After Cathy returned to Pismo Beach is when her title of "The Blonde Bombshell" came up. Even as a little girl she was very particular about what she wore and how she looked. We recall hearing about how as a child she had to have her patent leather shoes absolutely shine before she would go out in them. Later in life she loved her "bling", from her clothing to her accessories. She had her hair done weekly, always trying to look her best – and she did.

Cathy was able to travel to many places. With husband Joe she went to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and other states. In her retirement she travelled as far as Europe, the Azores, as well as going on several Caribbean/Mexican cruises and more.

Cathy was proud of her Portuguese heritage and often attended the Portuguese festas and other events. She regularly flew the Portuguese flag (along with the American flag) outside her house in Pismo Beach.

She was also very proud of all her grandchildren, Tiffany Rayhbuck, Joel Dias and Cheyanna Dias. Her heart swelled with pride again when she became a great grandma to Rigito Dias and more recently, Levi Dias.

Cathy was very close with all her family and friends. She kept in touch for quite a while with many of her family and friends until unfortunately her memory began to fail her. Sadly, she outlived many relatives and most of her longtime friends.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Dias (and Daniel Sa), Marvin Dias, Myron Dias (and Toni Dias); her three grandchildren, Tiffany (and Matt) Rayhbuck, Joel (and Megan) Dias, Cheyanna (and Rigo) Dias-Gonzalez; her two great grandchildren, Rigito Dias and Levi Dias. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Dias, her parents Mary Azevedo-Mello and Manuel Azevedo Sr., and her brother Manuel Azevedo Jr.; also her longtime partner Vince Fillipi.

Cathy's smile and love will forever remain in our memories and hearts. She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

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