Diane Carleen Pizzo

To those who knew Diane Carleen Pizzo, she was a shining bright light for Jesus. Once she found the loving truth in God’s Word in 1967, she never stopped trying to share it with others. She was born in Long Beach, CA on February 22, 1940 to Franklin Baxter of Collierville, TN and Lillian Graves of Santa Ana, CA. She was later happily married to James “Jimmy” Pizzo of San Jose, CA for 38 years. After a long and eventful life, her declining health caught up to her, and she died peacefully on October 25, 2025 at 3:16pm, with her family surrounding her as she finally went to see Jesus face-to-face and to live eternally with Him in His glorious peace. The time was a reminder of John 3:16, which promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus.

She is survived by her six children: Gregory Pizzo (Kyong Laurence), Loretta Castillo (Antonio), Nancy Pizzo (Tony Freitas), Nathan Pizzo (Stacey), David Pizzo (Lisa), and Robin Martin; her sister Natalie Smith (Randy), her brother David Baxter (Suzi), brother-in-law Victor Pizzo (Laura Appleton), many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Theresa Jodi King, and sister-in-law Lillian Pizzo. She loved her family well.

After her parents divorced when she was very young, Diane often moved around switching between parents and caretakers. Later she moved to Alameda, CA in her teen years to live with her father, whom she adored all her life. She loved to ride her bike in the Oakland Hills, roller skate, watch movies, and dance. Shortly after moving to San Jose in 1959, she met and married Jim just five days after turning 20. They started a family, and she dedicated her life to raising their children up to know Jesus and His Word. She lived a very blessed life. Diane participated in and led many Bible studies, devotedly loved the Lord Jesus, always spreading smiles across so many faces with her quick wit, thoughtful prayers and sincere friendship.

Diane had many hobbies like calligraphy, card making, photography and bird watching. The most exquisite and rewarding venture later in life was her ability to capture photos of the outstretched wings of so many kinds of birds in flight right from her backyard in Roseville, CA where she moved in 2001. She became known as the “Bird Lady of Beckett Drive” as she won several city photo contests. She liked to share her pictures on cards and as gifts. In 2023 Diane came back to San Jose to live at Merrill Gardens in Willow Glen, where she enjoyed her new found friends, playing bingo, and being well-cared for by her daughters and staff. She will be dearly missed by many.

Memorial Services for Diane Pizzo to be held Saturday, January 10, 2026. Inurnment at 10:00am Santa Clara Mission Cemetery St. Joseph Mausoleum 490 Lincoln St. Santa Clara, CA 95050.

Memorial Service at 12:00pm Hillview Bible Chapel 1160 Stelling Rd. Cupertino, CA. 95014.

Lunch Reception following service at same location.