Surrounded by family, in the early morning hours of September 30, 2021 Diana passed peacefully in her sleep at her daughter’s home in Milpitas. 

 

Diana was born to Bettie and Larry Diehl in Austin, Texas on August 23rd, 1943, where her dad was stationed during World War II. After the war, the family moved back to California and settled in Mountain View in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley. It was an idyllic place and time in the forties and fifties. Nestled among a patchwork of cherry and apricot orchards, and open fields Diana, and her cousins and younger brother could run and play carefree each day until sunset. Diana was a kind and compassionate person from the moment she could speak until the time of her passing. As a child, one of Diana’s early loves was dancing. Whenever friends and family would gather, Diana would regale them with one of her dance routines, including, Tap, Ballet and Hula. 

 

Diana attended Highway Elementary School. She then went to Escuela Junior High School, followed by Mountain View High School. While there, Diana was involved in many student activities and organizations such as student government and the school marching band where she and her cousins marched in formation as Majorettes and “Letter Girls” at parades and school sporting events. 

 

After graduating high school in 1961, Diana attended Foothill College, where she earned an associate degree. Taking a short break from her education, and no doubt responding to her calling to helping others, Diana took employment as a Medical Assistant for Dr. Paddock in Mountain View.

 

Diana then returned to school, attending San Jose State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and later, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Diana joined the San Jose County Probation Department as a Juvenile Probation Officer in 1968 where she worked until her retirement in 1998. 

 

In 1969, Diana married Steven Lawlor. They had two children, Jeff, and Marni. After their divorce, Diana married John Cunningham on July 17, 1982. Diana’s two children were merged with John’s three into a loving family of seven. Nine grandchildren followed, naturally becoming the loves of Diana’s life. In her retirement, Diana enjoyed having her family around her whenever possible. She and John also enjoyed reading and traveling until John’s death in 2017. Also, during her retirement, Diana was proud to serve on Santa Cruz County’s Grand Jury. She also worked part-time as a Victim Advocate at the District Attorney’s Office, specializing in children suffering from abuse or neglect.

 

Diana’s lifelong traits of kindness and selflessness were never more present than in her final days and hours where she held on to listen to as many of her grandkid’s stories as she could before passing in her sleep. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her and were touched by her grace.  

 

Diana is survived by her children, Jeff Lawlor of San Luis Obispo, Marni/Mallory (Ed) Berbena of Milpitas, Jackie (Bobby) Vasquez of San Jose, John (Abby) Cunningham of Lafayette, Katie (Erik) Amos of Felton, and grandchildren, Blake, Allison, Shawn, Carlo, Marlee, Finn, Maxx, Adrean, and Grace. Her brother Larry Diehl Jr. (Doreen) of Roseville, her nephew, Michael Diehl (Michele) and grandnephew, Tyler Diehl of Napa. Her cousins, Frank Bailey of Santa Clara, Tim Bailey (Donna) of Oregon, Sandy Territo of San Jose, and Jan Hamilton (Paris) of Yreka. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Cunningham of Aptos.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to CASA of Santa Cruz County.

 

 

A service will be held once Covid restrictions ease. Every effort will be made to inform Diana’s friends and relatives once arrangements have been finalized.