SCHWEITZER, Diane
March 10, 1931 - January 2, 2021
Our mom, Diane Louella Shank Schweitzer, was born on March 10, 1931, in Normal, Illinois, to Arthur Appleton Shank and Maida Sarah Waters. Placed in an orange crate at six weeks old, the family drove cross country to Southern California, where her father (aka Art Baker) began his career in radio and later television.
Raised in Glendale, mom graduated from Glendale Hoover High in 1949, followed by two years at USC, where she formed lifelong friendships with her Delta Gamma sisters. Set up by good friends, a blind date led to the wonderful sixty year marriage to our father, Conrad Schweitzer, who passed in 2015.
Throughout their marriage, our parents resided in Newport Beach except for a few years in Bellevue, Washington and seven years in Atlanta, Georgia. They enjoyed traveling around the world and had friends in every port. Mom and dad loved to celebrate life and bring people together. Gatherings with friends and family brought them great happiness and boy did they know how to throw a party!
Mom modeled generosity and service through her involvement with various organizations, particularly the Assistance League and the Trojan League of Orange County. She was a passionate supporter of USC sports and a devoted attendee/cheerleader at her children and grandchildren’s sports and activities.
Music served as a source of tremendous joy throughout mom’s life. She learned to play piano at a young age and later took up the guitar and ukulele. She sang on her dad’s radio show at the age of 12 and in high school was one of two vocalists in the Allen Vallen Band that performed at weddings and USO dances on weekends. Thankfully, mom’s musical talent remained strong and brought her great joy in the last years of her life.
Genuine, compassionate, charming and kindhearted, mom was a delightful lady with a heart of gold. Her life was rich with relationships and blessed by the love of her family and friends. We will always remember mom with a sparkle in her eye, a warm smile and a song in her heart.
We are forever grateful for the love and support provided by the wonderful community at Silverado SJC, and for all the special angels who cared for mom in her last years of her life.
Survived by her three children, Karen Sidney (Mike) Hermosa Beach, Ca., Kathy Lee (Bill) Evanston, IL., and David Schweitzer (Renee) Laguna Hills, CA., cherished grandchildren Mike (Liz) and John Lee, Tanna and Beau Schweitzer, loving nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of choice.
Alzheimer’s Association San Diego Chapter c/o Orange County Chapter 5075 Shoreham Place, Suite 240 San Diego, CA 92122 http://www.alz.org/oc