Diane Della Jordan

Dec. 30, 1954 - Nov. 24, 2021

Diane Della Jordan of Clovis passed away at Clovis Community Hospital on November 24, 2021.

Diane was born in Tulare and grew up in Strathmore, attending Wilson Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary and Monache High School. While in school, she was active in 4H Club, the school newspaper, band, choir and theatre. She was known for writing musicals for her 4H Club, symphonies performed by the high school band and was editor of the Monache High Newspaper.

After graduating from Monache High in 1973, she went on to graduate from Porterville Junior College in 1975 and received her Bachelor's Degree from the Conservatory of Music at University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. She returned to Tulare to teach elementary music and later direct the Monache High School Band while the director, Dale Anderson, was on sabbatical. She then moved to Clovis and taught classroom music, recorders, band and choir at numerous schools throughout the Fresno Unified School District.

During her 30+ years long career at Fresno Unified, Diane created curriculum used in many classrooms today. She wrote the "Recorder Book", as well as lesson plans to teach classroom music for K - 3 students. Her accomplishments were recognized when she was awarded the Peripole General Music Educators Award in 2001 by the California Music Educators Association.

After Diane retired, she took her favorite character developed for the classroom, a squirrel named Chipper, and pitched a music education show to Nickelodeon with him as the star. She continued to compose music and write, completing a rock opera and outlining a novel. Diane also was an enthusiastic runner, completing several 10ks in Disneyland and over 50 virtual races.

Diane was a 50+ year member of the Sons of Italy Roma Lodge of Tulare, California.

Diane was an amazing human being. She was funny, kind, smart and always had wonderful advice. She was a determined woman, who overcame many obstacles to live her life on her terms. Diane inspired those around her, with her creative spirit, unique outlook, and dedication to the power of imagination. One of the quotes she lived by was from Walt Disney. "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Diane is predeceased by her father, Pasquale Della. She is survived by her mother, Frances Della, her sister Linda Della, and her two children, Elizabeth and Andrew Jordan. She is also survived by her aunt, Rose Della Frank. She is also survived by many first cousins, Vincent (and Pam) Sola, Katie (and Kent) Gomes, Tom (and Kanise) Frank, Elaine Frank, Rosemary (and Kelly) Cady, David (and Wilma) Della, Janice (and Tom ) Lacy, and Karen (and Rick) Schuler.

In lieu of flowers (of which we are all allergic), please donate to the Roma Lodge Scholarship Fund. Roma Lodge #1573, 17383 Ave 184, Strathmore, CA 93267

Funeral arrangements are to be announced in January.