Chancellor Judy C. Miner sent the following message via email to Foothill-De Anza district employees.
Jan. 29, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
This evening, we are mourning the death of De Anza College Nursing instructor Sandra Diaz. Some of you have already heard this sad news from De Anza President Lloyd Holmes, whose message is available at https://www.deanza.edu/president/message210129.html.
Sandra is the first -- and we certainly hope last -- Foothill-De Anza employee to succumb to COVID-19. She was a wonderful instructor, known for her care, empathy, and support for her students, and for her kindness to all. It is especially devastating that Sandra was to receive tenure in March.
Our hearts go out to Sandra's husband, her four daughters, and her 10 grandchildren. We know she would have loved to see the birth of her 11th grandchild, currently on the way.
We know Sandra would have celebrated her tenure, and continued to teach her students well, preparing them to work on the front lines of healthcare. And we wish that she could have completed a long and fulfilling career here with us at Foothill-De Anza.
Losing Sandra underscores why we at the district have wanted to exercise significant care and caution in the decisions we have made, and in our planning. I hope that you will continue to take all precautions to guard against the virus, and will take the vaccine when it becomes available to you.
I look forward to the day when we can all meet again, safely and in person.
In sympathy,
Judy