Diaz-Peterson (Byrne) passed away February 17, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona.  She was 75 years old. 

Geraldine was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Leo and Antoinette Byrne.  She grew up in Newark, Ohio and graduated from Newark High School.   

Geraldine loved foreign languages and studied Spanish, French and German. She graduated with a BA in Spanish from the University of Illinois (Chicago) and continued her studies at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) working towards a PhD.   Her passion was Spanish and she embraced the art, music and culture of Spain.  

Geraldine taught High School Spanish in Des Moines, Iowa where she adopted the nickname of Nina.  She later moved to Tucson, Arizona and continued teaching High School Spanish until she retired.  She loved traveling to Spain and enjoyed taking students there to experience Spanish culture.

She will be fondly remembered for her cooking and re-creation of many Sicilian family recipes, love of poker, board games and movies!

She is survived by her children Maria and Tomas Diaz-Peterson, her siblings Elizabeth Keswick, Michael Byrne, Kathleen Fayazi-Azad and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces/nephews.  

Messages of condolence can be sent to the family via email tdiazpeterson@gmail.com

Donations may be made to Parkinson Wellness Recovery, an organization that improved Geraldine’s quality of life as someone living with Parkinson disease. Parkinson Wellness Recovery, 4343 N Oracle Rd, Ste 173, Tucson, AZ 85705. www.pwr4life.orgwww.exerciseforbrainchange.org