Ana Rosa Dias McCuen Diggs, 87

GLENMOOR – Ana Rosa Dias McCuen Diggs, of Glenmoor, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family Monday evening, September 16, 2024, following a brief illness. She was 87 years old.

Born in San Antao, Cape Verde Island, March 14, 1937, she was a daughter of the late Mateus Antonio Dias and Rosa Teresa de Jesus. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by first husband, Charles A. McCuen and her second husband, James E. Diggs, as well as a stepson, Charles Marlon McCuen, and two sisters, Teresa Dias Faial and Gregoria Nascimento Pio.

She is survived by her loving children: Velva R. McCuen of Columbus, Charles A. McCuen (Eva Miranda) Canal Winchester, Anita D. McCuen of East Liverpool and Paula Z. McCuen (Brian Scott) of Wellsville, a stepson, Terry McCuen (Vicki) of Wellsville, along with other family she raised as her own: Ina "Rinky" Boswell of Florida, Stefan White of Leetonia, Iesha Martin of Georgia, Jay Howard of West Virginia and Lea Howard of Columbus. She also is survived by six grandchildren: Cameron Hurst, Terriana Roberts, Collin Cline, Amara McCuen Redding, Charles "Peanut" McCuen, and Dawn McCuen, and two great-grandchildren: Kendrick Hurst and Selah Redding. She also leaves a sister, Gregoria Faial (John) of Portugal, and Lucas Dias (Julia) of Portugal and a host of nieces and nephews who reside in Portugal and Germany as well as the U.S.

Ana was a former member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville where she served as a member of the Alter and Rosary Society. After the death of her husband, she remarried and joined the First Baptist Church in Wellsville where she served as a deaconess.

Prior to coming to the United States, Ana lived in Lisbon, Portugal. She was a master seamstress and merchant. She journeyed to the U.S. in 1966 after she met her first husband and resided in Wellsville and started their family. She became a U.S. citizen and was a proud American for the rest of her life. As a woman of faith, Ana dedicated her life to God, family and community. She always put the needs of others before her own. Her greatest joy was spending time in the company of her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her children were the center of her world. She taught them to be strong, independent, compassionate and charitable individuals.

Ana enjoyed baking, sewing, gardening, crocheting and volunteering in her community and was the neighborhood mom. She was a loving, caring individual and in her eyes, no one was a stranger, and no one ever left her home hungry. One of her greatest joys was hosting holiday meals with a spread from heaven where everyone loved her apple pies and homemade bread.

The family would like to thank Sara Pease, FNP-BC, Dr. Sathish Magge, and the staff at UPMC Mercy Hospital for their compassionate care.

Friends may visit Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Dawson Funeral Home. Fr. Leo Wehrlin will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Parish. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery in Wellsville.

Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for fellowship.