Joy Anna Aurora Diaz

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joy Anna Aurora Diaz, our precious 10-year-old girl who died tragically in a car accident on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, along with her mother Jana Hayden. Joy was born in Scottsdale, AZ on March 15, 2013, to her loving parents Domingo (Chino) Diaz and Jana Hayden. She was in 4th grade at Chaparral Christian Community School. She enjoyed attending school and was adored by her classmates.

Joy was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-grand daughter, niece, cousin, and friend. She had four older siblings: Alexa Hayden-Michaels, Ethan, Ryan, and Grace Diaz, and was deeply loved by all of them. Joy’s parents were Domingo (Chino) Diaz and Jana Hayden. Her grandparents were James Boyd and Lori Hayden-Boyd and two deceased grandparents Alberto and Aurora Diaz and great-grandparents Earl (deceased) and Jacqueline Edlgey. She also had aunts and uncles Melcio and Blanca Diaz, Maria Guadalupe, Aucencia Diaz Romero (deceased), Brian Hayden, Ashley Boyd, Rebecca Boyd Westfall (Parker), and James Boyd II (deceased), and cousins who loved her very much. This sudden, tragic loss sent shock waves through her family and everyone who knew her.

Joy was a wonderful, affectionate, and thoughtful person. She loved her family deeply and enjoyed being at home with them. She was extremely thoughtful, fair, and shared everything she had with others. Despite being shy to most people, she appreciated being the center of attention with her family. She was decisive, free-spirited, protective, and persistent. She was an encourager. She loved her two dogs, Dobby and Patchy, and her stuffed animals. Like her name, Joy was joyful!

Joy was an independent girl and loved doing things by herself. She was an excellent chess player and would always win at Uno. Joy loved swimming, jumping on the trampoline, and enjoyed playing outside with her neighborhood friends. Joy was really brave, loved playing silly pranks, and always really cared for the “underdog” kids. She was really good at Roblox. She just received a new blue bike for her 10th birthday, and she loved to ride. Her dream was to go to Disneyland this year with her family for the first time.

Joy craved vanilla ice cream and chicken nuggets from McDonald’s with sweet and sour sauce and ranch dressing. Her favorite color was pink, but she loved all of the colors in the rainbow. Her favorite clothing combination was wearing shorts and long socks. Joy was really affectionate with her parents, who she called “Dada” and Mom, and enjoyed playing with them. She loved going to Dave and Buster’s, helping her Dad with gardening, and picking flowers for her mom. She loved going to Sunday School with her older sister Grace at Scottsdale Bible Church and attended church with her mother weekly at Christ Church Lutheran.

Joy will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her family will miss her hugs and laughter. Her father describes her as his whole world. Like many 10-year-olds, Joy was sassy and liked to roll her eyes, but she was also sweet and loving to her family. She loved shopping and would always ask her dad “What’s my budget?” whenever they would go to the store. Joy took good care of her lustrous long hair, brushing it every morning when she first woke up.

A visitation for Joy Anna will be held on April 30, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Christ Church Lutheran, 3901 E Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, with the funeral service following at 3:00 pm. Joy Anna will be laid to rest at Paradise Memorial Gardens on May 1, 2023, at 10:00 am. Her passing is a tragic loss, and she will always be remembered for her kindness, love, and beautiful spirit. Her family takes great comfort in knowing that she is in Jesus’ arms with her mother Jana and will be reunited with her family again in Heaven.