Diana Wilson Dies in Calif.; Was a Former Sitka Teacher

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Thursday, 25 August 2022 11:51

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Diana Leigh Wilson

Diana Leigh Wilson, 69, passed away of natural causes on August 16, 2022, in Pacific Palisades, California.

Diana was born on October 1, 1953, in Riverside, California.

While growing up in Riverside Diana enjoyed family vacations at Newport Beach, Palm Springs and Lake Arrowhead, where many happy memories were formed.

Diana earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California Riverside in 1975 and her master’s in education in 1977. During her summer vacations in high school and college she worked in salmon canneries in Kodiak, where she was promoted to head fish inspector.

She fell in love with Alaska, with its clean air and water and outdoor lifestyle. As a result, upon graduation Diana applied for and obtained a job in Sitka as a teacher at Baranof Elementary School. She taught there for 22 years and won accolades for her dedication and conscientiousness. Among other things she specialized in reading recovery and special education. 

During her time in Sitka Diana took advantage of the great outdoors, and was an avid hiker, biker, runner, swimmer and bicyclist. She worked summers for Sitka Bike and Hike, where she lead tours from the cruise ships as a certified Alaska naturalist. She was a fan of wild caught salmon and worked some summers on fishing boats.

Diana also designed and built her house on Halibut Point Road with a view of Mt. Edgecumbe.

Diana relocated to Pacific Palisades in 2000 to help care for her elderly mother and to study psychotherapy at Pepperdine in Malibu. She obtained her license as a marriage and family counselor and went to work at Figure Counseling Center in downtown Los Angeles, where she supported clients, including during the pandemic.

She was seriously injured when she was run over by a car while on a walk in 2018 but worked hard in physical therapy and recovered well. She was particularly motivated to return to caring for her mother.

She was a strong, independent and thoughtful presence and her smile will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her sister Molly Wilson, of Pacific Palisades; nephews Adam and Daniel Deloje, Pacific Palisades; nieces Joanne Rust of Minneapolis and Janet Frederick of Wilderville, Oregon; cousins Sharon Chang of Hawaii, Nancy Cahill of Prescott, Arizona, and Bob Wilson of San Dimas, California; and beloved cats Laughy and Squeaker.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother Adriana Wilson, father Gordon Wilson, and brother Andrew. 

She never married, but was a wonderful aunt, daughter and friend.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, and she will be laid to rest in Riverside.

In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to the Red Cross.

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