Diana Ann Mendoza

Diana Ann Mendoza passed away on January 26, 2018 at home in Paso Robles with her husband, Gilbert, by her side share her last moments. Diana was born in Pasadena, CA in January of 1934, to Alfred White Derr and Louise Francis Sweeney. Diana enjoyed reading mystery novels and going to a movie, which was a regular Friday outing, followed by lunch at a local restaurant down town. Diana was a beautiful person inside and out. She was a devoted wife and mother and had great feeling for those who were less fortunate. She supported numerous charities like St. Jude Hospital and Research Center, the Salvation Army and the Leukemia Foundation. Diana attending high school in Pasadena, during this time she also sold Avon products and became great at salesmanship. Diana also spent time in Oregon with her grandmother and attended school there. As a young adult she moved to Las Vegas where she worked as a bank teller. Her life path then led her to Southern CA where she devoted her time to raising her 3 children. She then moved to Santa Barbara where she began her career as an artist. During this time she began attending Santa Barbara City College. She then realized that her artistic endeavors would have to be placed on hold to do financial consulting. Diana graduated from SBCC and UCSB. It was in Santa Barbara where she met her husband Gilbert Mendoza. After graduating she worked in Santa Barbara with the District Attorney’s office to develop a drinking and driving under the influence offender program. After two years getting that program started her and her husband decided to move to San Diego where they established, developed and directed a program to help, assist and treat alcohol addiction. Diana and her husband then moved to San Luis Obispo where they continued their work that they had dedicated so many years of their time and energy to. Diana decided that she wanted to change careers, so she became and Allstate Insurance Agent, with an office in Atascadero. After 15 years as an agent, Diana decided to retire at age 65. After retiring, she then resumed her passion for art and started painting again, full time. Diana’s paintings have been exhibited in numerous places such as in Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Castoro Winery in Paso Robles and for the last few years at the Quarium Gallery in Laguna Beach.

Diana is survived by her husband Gilbert Mendoza, her children: DeeDee Lunche, Kathy Marmalejo, Tim Mendoza, Steve Mendoza, Marilyn Contrearas, Matthew Mendoza, mark Mendoza, 8 granchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.