Olivia Theresa Diaz

1942 - 2025

BORN

1942

DIED

2025

About

Arizona State University

Olivia Diaz Obituary

Olivia Theresa Diaz

October 3, 1942 – May 1, 2025

Olivia Theresa Diaz was born on October 3, 1942, in Phoenix, Arizona, and passed away on May 1, 2025, in Nevada City, California. She grew up in Phoenix as a vibrant and active member of a large, loving family and attended Arizona State University in Tempe. After graduation, her love for adventure took her to four continents, but she maintained a lifetime love for the Sonoran Desert and a deep connection to her family.

Olivia's energy was enviable as she dedicated herself to causes she believed in and the people she loved. A passionate advocate for her community, she ran for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, mounting a strong campaign that generated discussion about her potential candidacy for US Congress. Her environmental activism led to an appointed position on the Board of Directors of the Fire District.

She was active in her communities throughout her life, including Nevada City, California; Paris, France; and for many years Warrenville, Illinois, where she helped her husband, Dr. Ernest Malamud, transform a hands-on science exhibit into the beloved SciTech Museum in downtown Aurora, Illinois. The museum welcomed tens of thousands of family visitors and became a cherished institution under their guidance.

At SciTech, Olivia created two groundbreaking programs that earned national recognition. Her SciTech clubs for girls paired teenage participants with female mentors to build exhibits for the museum in the museum's workshopa model later adopted by science centers internationally. Her innovative "museum in a school" program brought SciTech exhibits directly to schools, particularly serving economically disadvantaged areas where families couldn't afford museum visits. Both programs won competitive National Science Foundation grants, testament to their impact and innovation.

For the past 12 years, Olivia lived with her husband in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris. She often spoke of her spiritual connection to Notre-Dame and marveled at the cathedral's reconstruction, which she could see from a window in their lovely Paris apartment. She embraced the Parisian lifestyle wholeheartedly-the language, architecture, cuisine, and the wonderful friendships she made-but maintained her deep relationships and activism in the U.S. through frequent visits.

A member of Le WIC de Paris, Friends of Clair Tappaan Lodge, Sierra Club, SYRCL, and the Cascade Shores Women's Club, Olivia made lasting friendships with many amazing people. She chaired a Sierra Club subcommittee that awarded funding to help schools send students to Clair Tappaan Lodge and contributed significantly to the lodge's annual fundraising efforts. She was the person one would call when they needed a strong, competent individual to help in matters of business or the heart. She was clear-headed and practical, but possessed a great capacity for joy.

Olivia's strength made her appear invincible, so her sudden passing from a brain aneurysm shocked and shifted the lives of many. She lived by her convictions, was loved immensely, and will be missed fiercely. The heartbroken include her husband, Dr. Ernest Malamud; sister Sally Feight; brother Joe Diaz; son Derek; daughter Leslie; sister-in-law Jennifer; grandchildren Raquel, Elizabeth, Devin-Marie, Angel, Nathan, and Ava; 7 great grandchildren; many family members; and beloved friends. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Louise; her daughter Denise; granddaughter Irene Athena and her loving parents Adam and Phyllis Diaz.

Although divorced for decades, she remained proud of the artistic contributions of her first husband, the late artist Dan Concholar.

Her legacy lives on in those she inspired to explore the wonders of science and technology, the great outdoors, volunteerism, and the joy of the arts, family, and friends.

An intimate memorial was held in Phoenix, and a larger celebration of her life will be held in Grass Valley this fall. Friends interested in joining us in remembrance may contact her daughter Leslie at [email protected] or 530-264-7164.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Union on Aug. 5, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Olivia Diaz

5 Entries

Pamela Biery

August 6, 2025

My best mentor, trusted friend and example of how to live. I am a better person for knowing her.

Olivia embodied compassion, intelligence and humor.

Her presence was always a gift.

The Peace of Wild Things
Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children´s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world,
and am free.

Rest in grace, dear Olivia.

Janne Gutierrez

August 5, 2025

Aunt Olivia was always so supportive of our family, encouraged our children to pursue their talents, strengths and interests, and made family a priority. Her smile was infectious and softened the strong opinions she shared. I will always appreciate and value the love of life, adventure, learning and adventure she embodied.

Rennie Smith

August 5, 2025

I did not know Olivia personally. However, I want to thank her for leaving this place on earth better for having known her. My prayers to those who are missing a special person.

Rick Smith

August 5, 2025

This woman taught me so much about people and introduced me to new and productive directions in my clinical career. She grew up on a dirt road in Phoenix I met her at California state University at Los Angeles as she was finishing her Master´s degree in Rebabilitation Counseling. There was a wisdom and directness in her thinking and in her parenting and true generativity in her legacy. Her impact is indelible .