Diana Searls

Diana (Diane) Rosalie Peterson Searls was born on November 3, 1936, in Pasadena, California, and passed away on July 1, 2026, in North Richland Hills, Texas, at the age of 89. Her life was one of love, dedication, learning, and meaningful connections, leaving behind a beautiful legacy that will continue through the many lives she touched.

Diana grew up in Pasadena, where she attended Edison Elementary School, Eliot Junior High School, and John Muir High School, graduating with the Class of 1954. She continued her education and, in 1959, she earned her degree in General Elementary Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her passion for learning never faded, and in 1989, she earned her master’s degree in Humanistic Education from United States International University.

Education was more than a profession for Diana; it was a lifelong calling. From 1959 to 2016, she devoted herself to shaping young minds and inspiring future generations through her work as an elementary educator, mentor teacher, and student-teacher supervisor. She believed in the importance of learning, encouragement, and helping others reach their full potential. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom, as she generously shared her knowledge, wisdom, and experience with fellow educators and aspiring teachers. Throughout her remarkable career, Diana made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Diana's love story with Charles Searls began when they met as teenagers in a church youth group. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they married in 1957. Together, they welcomed three children and built a family filled with cherished memories. Although their lives took separate paths following their divorce in 1976, their story was not yet finished. In 2021, after many years apart, Diana and Charles reunited and rekindled their relationship, adding a beautiful new chapter to a love story that had begun so many years before.

Family and friends were always at the heart of Diana's life. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured the time she spent with those she loved. She took great joy in the accomplishments and milestones of her children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Whether sharing stories, celebrating special occasions, or simply enjoying one another's company, Diana understood that life's greatest blessings were found in the relationships we nurture.

Outside of her dedication to teaching and family, Diana found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She had a special appreciation for flowers and plants and enjoyed the beauty they brought into her surroundings. She also loved playing bridge, card games, and board games, with Scrabble holding a particularly special place among her favorites. These activities brought her

joy and provided wonderful opportunities for laughter, friendly competition, and meaningful time with family and friends.

Diana will be remembered for her devotion to education, her love of family, her enduring friendships, and the many ways she enriched the lives of others. Her journey was filled with experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and moments of joy that together reflected a life of purpose and meaning. She leaves behind not only treasured memories but also the lasting influence of a woman who dedicated so much of herself to helping others learn, grow, and succeed. Hers was truly a life well lived.

Diana was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Ralph Peterson and Margaret Peterson, and her brother, Lorance Peterson.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Searls; her daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Les Jones; her son and his partner, David Searls and Ming Chang; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Shona Searls; and her brother and sister-in-law, William and Sandra Peterson. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Megan Jones, Erin Hackfeld and her husband Jesse Hackfeld, Robert Searls Jr., Madison Searls, and Kegan Searls; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Jonathan Hackfeld and Abigail Hackfeld. Diana is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and their families: Margaret Murray, along with Brian, Avery, Noah, and Meredith; Victoria Easter, along with Robert and Gavin; and Angela Peterson.

A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sierra Madre United Methodist Church, 695 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024, followed by a committal service, that afternoon at 1:30 p.m., at Westminster Memorial Park in the Garden of Ivy, 14801 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683,

In honor of Diana's memory, donations may be made to Altadena Builds Back or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Diana's legacy lives on in the generations of students she inspired, the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the love she shared so generously throughout her life. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will remain a source of comfort, inspiration, and love to all who knew her.

A life well lived, a legacy of love, and a memory forever cherished.