Diane Grandsinger Elliott

Diane was born to Lyle and Charlotte Grandsinger on what was probably a slightly overcast fall morning in Los Angeles, California in the middle of November. Rounding out the family as the only girl, she joined brothers Dale and Paul (Alan came after her). At roughly 5 years old the Grandsinger family, including maternal grandmother Lydia Leonard, moved to Riverside. Little did they know this home would be the background to many of Diane's significant life events, including where she met her lifelong best friend, Sandra Skeel. She made a million memories there and grew up in the same cozy cul-de-sac she ended up raising her own children in.

Diane lived a full life. After graduating from Riverside Poly High in 1972 she continued her education with hopes of becoming a preschool teacher. She married George Price, and though their marriage didn’t last, they remained friends throughout her life. She later met Ted Elliott and they were married for about 10 wild years and they had 4 fun but interesting children. After her second divorce she was a single mom, and she focused on raising her kids and filling her life with as many happy moments as she could. Diane never lost her passion for helping people and more specifically children. In an effort to stay home with her own kids she was the neighborhood babysitter for many nearby friends, an under-the-table daycare if you will. Though she didn’t finish her degree she still ended up working at RUSD, she spent 20 years primarily as a “lunch lady” at John W. North High, but she was often found in other school kitchens as well.

At the fantastic age of 44 Diane met the man that would support her through the rest of her life, Michael Malone. They shared a love of Disney Parks, long comforting drives when her asthma was acting up, ghost hunter shows, joining him on some of his trucker routes, and adventures with their grandkids. He loves her like a best friend, a real partner, and with an understanding and patience often only seen in movies.

Diane was an amazing and involved Nana. Spending hours on video chats with her grandkids, watching shows together, keeping them company while they played, letting them show off all their favorite things. No matter where they lived, and as military kids they lived alot of places, she always showed up for them. Traveling to Virginia, DC, across half the country on a road trip to Missouri, and all over California to be a part of as many of their milestones as she could.

Planning family meals, and holidays with all the intricate and personalized details, brought her so much joy. Big family events were a favorite! She thoroughly enjoyed doing puzzles, diamond painting and other crafts, listening to oldies jams, dancing in the kitchen, watching her favorite old shows on repeat, and every single pet she met, even the ones that weren't hers! Her life was good. Though she endured many hardships, she always found a reason to smile, a way to make everything ok again, and reminded others they mattered, she 100% had enough love to go around and she was not stingy with it!

Diane Elizabeth was a devoted daughter caring for her parents in their decline, a probably pretty good wife considering they all stayed friends, a dedicated and involved mother, the best Nana, and a reliable and relatable friend. She is loved, and she will be missed. Incredibly so.

She is survived by her husband Michael Malone, her children Kevin Elliott, Kelly Elliott, Kasey (Jeffrey) Cohick, Keith (Lucinda) Elliott, and her 3 grandchildren Connor, Claire and Caelin Cohick, as well as her bonus boys Ted Elliott Jr, Chris Flores, Jody (Elena) Elliott, as well as her 3 brothers and first two husbands.