Diane E Baer

Diane was special in so many ways. Brain damaged from birth due to oxygen deprivation, in 1954 she was diagnosed as “mentally retarded”. The doctor recommended to her parents that she be institutionalized and said that she wouldn’t live to be 18. Instead, our parents, Marlin and Ruth Baer, kept her at home and moved to La Mesa in 1956 since the La Mesa Spring Valley Elementary District was beginning a program for the mentally disabled.

Diane was a trailblazer; as she and her classmates aged, other programs were established including the Trainable Mentally Retarded (TMR) in the GUHSD, workshop programs within the district as well as the ARC Workshop in El Cajon, and then when she “retired”, she attended the Saint Madeleine Sophie Center Senior Program.

Whatever school or program Diane participated in, her joyful spirit delighted staff and fellow participants. Despite being unable to read or write, Diane was the greatest “teacher” of us all in a family of many teachers. From childhood, Diane went on family summer vacations with the extended Baer family, camping in the western United States.

Diane attended ARC summer Camp-A-Lot for more than 20 years as well as its Leisure Express program, traveling to Hawaii, New York, and cruises to Alaska and Nova Scotia as well as many activities within San Diego, including trips to the beach, arts and craft gatherings, camping in our mountains and many more. Diane also participated in Special Olympics bowling, traveling to San Francisco for the state championships. Everywhere she went, she shared her joyful attitude, easily making friends.

The last three years of her life, Diane lived at Hilldale Habitation in La Mesa and attended the day program Innovative Center. We appreciate the loving care she received from their staff, especially as her health began to fail over the past year.

Diane is survived by sisters Connie and Lynn Baer, Yvonne Baer Vellone (husband Dave Vellone), niece Libby Vellone (husband Justin Rutherford) and nephew Matt Vellone; brother Greg Baer, nephew Kevin Baer (partner Saida Soto), great nephew Benja and great niece Sofi; nephew Kyle Baer (wife Kijan Zendi); niece Helen Baer (husband Stephen Trujillo, great nephew Henry); niece Elle Baer Johnson, (wife Jeanette Johnson), great nephew Miles and great niece Zoe.

Diane’s parents and brother Brad Baer and wife Marilyn predeceased her. Our precious sister and aunt Diane was buried beside them at Glen Abbey Cemetery in Bonita.