Catalina Arroyo Diaz

Catalina "Cathy" Arroyo Diaz, 62, of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Cathy was born on March 14, 1964, in Huixtac, a rural town in Guerrero, Mexico. At the age of 14, she moved to the city of Cuernavaca in Morelos. There, she began working in the market, selling fruits and vegetables while attending school. She met Aristeo Ocampo in Guerrero during their teenage years and fell in love with him. They married in Mexico when she was 18 years old and later moved to the Bronx, New York, seeking better life opportunities. Cathy worked as a sewing machine operator before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She taught herself how to cook and became known for her delicious meals. To improve her English, she took classes and sold tamales at school to support her family. Catalina and Aristeo had three children: Jorge, Nancy, and Stephanie. In 2001, the family moved to Dunn, North Carolina, where they purchased a small grocery store. Four years later, they relocated to Fayetteville, sold the store, and acquired a new grocery store named Tienda La Morelense. 

She loved Mexico, enjoyed nature, and took pride in her garden, and she loved talking to her customers. She was a business woman and a hard worker. On May 13, she was admitted to Moore Regional Hospital for a right foot bone infection, and her treatment was successful. She was discharged on May 20 and passed away hours later.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Aristeo Ocampo; children, Jorge, Nancy, and Stephanie; and a host of other family and friends whom she dearly loved.  

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. A Funeral Service Mass will be held at 5:30 pm at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 1000 Andrews Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28311.

Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com

Services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301