Mercy D Cannella's Obituary
Mercy Diaz Cannella, 92, of Tampa, Florida passed away peacefully and entered the presence of our Lord on December 28, 2025. She was a devoted Catholic who built her entire life upon the foundation of her faith, her family, and her friends. Mercy was a woman who consistently demonstrated strength, grace, and resilience through every challenge she faced, and gratitude, generosity, and joy towards every blessing she celebrated.
Born on September 23, 1933, to parents Manuel and Sofia Rodriguez Diaz, Mercy was proud of her Spanish heritage. Her mother and father immigrated from the providences of Asturias and Galicia in the early 1900s, and via Ellis Island, settled in Tampa to pursue a bright future for their future generations. Mercy was the sister to Ophelia, Stella, and Manuel, all who predeceased her.
After graduation from of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, Mercy attended the University of Tampa and achieved a successful career working for Broadway National Bank, Florida Dairy Inc, and the United States Postal Service.
Mercy will always be remembered for her kind heart, her fighting spirit, and the love and laughter she gave to everyone whose lives she touched. She was a caregiver to any loved one in need, a role model to her children and grandchildren, and the rock of her family.
Actively involved in her Tampa community, Mercy was a member of Circle 14 of the Women’s Guild at Christ the King Catholic Church and a member of Las Damas del Centro Asturiano. For over 50 years, she was an incredibly special part of the Bon Ami, a group of fun-loving women bonded by lasting friendships and lifetime memories.
A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Mercy, was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Joseph Guagliardo Cannella, and her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Dr. Hector L. Rivera. She is survived by her son Joseph F. Cannella, and his wife Theresa, her daughter Jo Ann Cannella Cardillo, a step-daughter Suzanne Cannella Warner, grandchildren Hector J. Rivera (Hadley), Brittney Cardillo, Megan Cardillo Lopez (Ben), Joseph A. Cannella and Matthew R. Cannella, step-grandchildren Ashley Ortiz and Shea Warner, great-grandchildren Hector G. Rivera, Hudson Rivera, Elle R. Lopez, Emilia G. Lopez and Este E. Lopez, and nieces Christine Hammerschlag and Cheryl Hammerschlag.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 5th, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 1711 E 11th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605. A family visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by a Catholic mass at 11:00 am and internment at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4202 E Lake Ave, Tampa, FL 33610.
Mercy’s grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers along with Robert Ammon, Manny Alvarez, and Nelson J. Guagliardo. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Mercy’s honor beginning at 2 pm at Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mercy’s name to either the Society of St Vincent de Paul, West Hillsborough District Council, 12310 N Nebraska Ave Tampa, FL 33612 or University of Florida Foundation (Fund #022637), PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-9949 or Camp Kesem UF, PO Box 14097, Gainesville, FL 32604.
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