On the 9th of July, 2026, our night sky lost a star, and the heavens gained an angel. Our dearest Delia C. Leon has passed on to her next life. Our family takes solace in her loss, but we all know she is in a better place, no longer in pain, and no longer bound to this Earth by any obligations she made during her life. We all knew she had a wonderful life, full of fun and unconditional love. Delia was born in May 1944, and passed away the night of July 9th, 2026 in Tucson Arizona, surrounded by her loving family. She was 82.

Since Delia was the oldest of her siblings, she started out doing a lot of jobs to earn extra money, such as picking cotton. She would do this with one of her favorite Tia’s; Tia Vickie. They would sing as they worked the fields, filling their burlap sacks up for a nickel a bag. Everyone else in the fields would stop and listen to them, their songs being a beautiful sound ringing through the fields as everyone worked. She was also a nanny for a big part of her life. Taking care of the kids was somewhat of a soft spot for her. It rooted deep down within her. Delia was also an RN/Charge nurse who taught, showed, and trained people on nursing. She also worked everything: pediatrics, ICU, the PIC unit, Geriatric care, rehabilitation for surgeries and broken bone replacements, the cardiac unit, the burn unit (both pediatric and adult), nursing homes and hospitals from Arizona, to California, to Connecticut, and back again. She was also the substitute Nurse for Copper Rim and East Globe school and only went to the Junior High and High School if they needed someone, but usually the office staff took care of them. Before Delia's medical retirement, her last job was Charge Nurse at St. Joes Hospital in Tucson. With all of these jobs, came all the certificates and recognition from Best Parent Volunteer to Charge Nurse certifications, even End of Life Care certificates. If it had anything to do with Nursing, Delia had that certificate. Her reason was because she wanted her care to be the best care those patients received, even if it was end of life care. Life comes full circle after all.

Delia was a Catholic, born and raised, and had a strong belief in her faith, even if it was a quick prayer to find her glasses and her crochet hooks. She attended church as often as she could or wanted to, especially during the holidays. She enjoyed crocheting gifts and making clothes, blankets, for her siblings, children, grandchildren, and friends she cared very much for. Delia even made small baby blankets with matching booties and hats for the babies that were born and wouldn't survive. She was always doing something, reading, making bracelets for herself or others and showing others how to make jewelry. If she saw something she wanted to try, she did it. She always said,"Why not? Lifes to short not to know if you're going to like it or not!"

Though Delia is not on this planet with us anymore, she is not gone. She is everywhere. Every time you pop a tortilla bubble while its cooking, she is there. Every time you smell something sweet in the air, she is there. Every time you sweep a bug out of the house instead of hitting it with a shoe, she is there. Every time you decide to clean early in the morning while listening to Vicente Fernandez, she is there. Every time you walk past the crafting section, end up picking things to make for someone else's kids, and love them unconditionally, as if they were your own, she is there. She was a beautiful person inside and out, always greeted people with a smile on her face. Did what she could to help anyone in need, whether they approached her at a store or showed up at her house. Anyone who came across her was lucky enough to get to know her. She gave that same love and attention to her family. She was a fabulous Mother, Nana, Sister, Nina, Niece, Cousin and Friend and will be missed dearly.

Delia is survived by her five siblings, Frank (Donna) Caldera, Socorro (Richard) Gonzales, Edward (Norma) Caldera, Clara Caldera, Robert (Anjelica) Caldera. Two daughters Angelina (William) Canjura, Amymarie (Crystal) Leon. Four grandchildren, Damian Canjura, Jazmyne Canjura, Dante Leon-Pagay, Mya Leon-Pagay.

Delia is preceded in death by her husband David C. Leon, parents Edward and Manuela Caldera. Two brothers, Richard Angel and Richard David and many Tio’s, Tia’s and cousins.

Services to be announced at a later date.