March 17, 1950 – November 15, 2024
Diane Johnson Genco, of Clovis, California, passed away on the morning of November 15, 2024 with her family at her bedside.
Diane was born in Downey, California. In her early life her father, who retired as a Bank of America VP, was promoted often, and their family moved quite a few times all over Southern California. Diane’s high school years were all spent in Camarillo, where she made life-long friends that she kept in contact with her entire life. Diane was always grateful to her father Allan, who was promoted to an LA Branch but decided not to move the family from Camarillo while both girls were still in high school so they could graduate with their friends. He commuted every workday about 3 hours in each direction for his girls. Diane attended College at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she met her husband Vince in 1971. She majored in English, minored in Speech, and was on the debate team.
Diane and Vince established their home in Clovis in 1974 and raised their 2 boys northeast of town. Diane was always looking for ways to help support her family, and worked as a bookkeeper until the boys were born, and even worked at home after they were born, continuing to do accounting. When the boys were old enough to go to school and because Diane had her teaching credential, she went to work for Clovis Unified School District as a substitute teacher. Later on, Diane went back to school at night and got her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration while still working full time, being a mom and wife, and helping Vince with his office work also. In 2010, Diane retired from CUSD and had worked her way up as administrator in charge of the School to Careers Program for the entire district, overseeing vocational education curriculum for almost 1,000 students.
Not being one to sit home, Diane decided to apply for her Real Estate license after her first retirement. She liked the interaction with people but didn’t like working at the weekend open houses because it kept her from being with her family at Shaver, or water polo tournaments, or other family events.
Diane was a life member of the Clovis Rodeo Association. Her Rodeo Family was very dear to her, and she always looked forward to the Clovis Rodeo on last weekend in April, as well as all the other Association events throughout the year. She helped organize the Clovis Rodeo Parade for many years and after she retired, she was in charge of the ticket office, helping to modernize both with her knowledge of computers that she had gained from her teaching years.
Family was the most important thing in Diane’s life. From her early involvement with her two boys and later in life with her three grandchildren, she was always very supportive and tried to attend as many of their events and competitions, always encouraging them to try and be the best they could be and give 110%. Family card games during the holidays were always special to Diane. Her favorite game was called Spades, and she taught it to her children and grandchildren at an early age so that they could all play. Diane thrived on the competition. The time spent with family and friends at the houses and boats at Shaver Lake were also very special to Diane.
Diane is survived by her husband of 50 years Vince, her son Vince IV and his wife Kari, her son Ben and his wife Becky, and her three loving grandchildren Makenna Jane, Kaitlyn Rose, and Vince V (Ty). She is also survived by brothers-in-law Scott Aney and Domenic Genco, sister-in-law Maryjane Genco, and several nieces and nephews. Diane will be missed dearly by her family and many friends.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Isabel Johnson, and her sister Donna (Johnson) Aney.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Diane’s honor at the Clovis Rodeo Hall, 748 Rodeo Drive, Clovis CA 93612 on Sunday, December 15th, 2024 at 12:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to either the Clovis Rodeo Foundation, PO Box 445, Clovis, CA 93613-0445 or the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 663 Thirteenth Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612 (On line: https://www.myotonic.org/donate-towards-myotonic-dystrophy-community-care-and-cure).
