Fazil Diane Starling Dean

Fazil Diane Starling Dean, born December 16, 1929, passed away July 19, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Annie Starling of Tampa, FL and her husband of 55 years, Miles Tillman Dean. She leaves her children Diane Sibrizzi (Jack) and Miles Patrick Dean, one grandson Dean Sibrizzi, sisters Barbara Lancaster and Linda Vigo and several nieces and nephews.

She had a long career in education, retiring in 1989 as an Assistant Superintendent for Duval County School Board. She was the first woman to hold that position. She received her B.S. and M.S. from Florida State University where she participated in the Flying High Circus on the triple trapeze.

She began her career in Duval County as an elementary teacher at Atlantic Beach Elementary School. She took several years off and did advanced work in Educational Administration and Supervision, so when she returned to education, it was as a curriculum assistant at San Pablo and George W. Carver elementary schools. She was accepted into the principals training program and appointed principal of Southside Estates Elementary.

While at Southside Estates, she won the Little Red School House award for the innovative teaching program that was on going. Southside Estates was also recognized for its outstanding program for the hearing impaired. While principal, she served on the School Board’s negotiating team.

After 5 years as principal, she was named Assistant Superintendent. She served in various parts of the county supervising the schools’ grades 1 through 12. She also was part of the committees who wrote the dress code and the student conduct code. She developed the academic competition – Brain Brawl– and supervised the employees who prepared the questions and the games. She also produced the Academic Super Bowl, which was very popular for several years.

Fazil was also in charge of the Young Parents program which grew and developed enormously under her guidance and the principal’s leadership. She served on the boards of River Region Human Services and the Gateway Community Services and also served as President of the groups.

She was a long time member of Community Presbyterian Church in Atlantic Beach. Over the years, she taught children’s Sunday school and Adult Women’s Bible class, sang in the choir and served as Bible leader for various church circles. In recent years, she has volunteered in the church office.

She was a member of Selva Marina Country Club and was active in the Ladies Golf Association and was a member of the Beaches Ladies Golf Association. She was also a founding member of the Jacksonville School of Bridge and served as president of the group for two years.

A memorial service will be held 10am Tuesday, July 23 at Community Presbyterian Church, 150 Sherry Dr. Atlantic Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Fazil’s name to Community Presbyterian Church http://www.cpcab.org/Contact.html or McGraw Center for Caring – Community Hospice http://support.comunityhospice.com/donate