Diane Goldberg

Diane Goldberg, a 60-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away peacefully in her home on September 13. She was 89.

Born in Santa Monica Hospital on June 30, 1934, Diane lived in Venice and Mar Vista and attended Venice High where she served as Girls State representative and was named the school’s “Girl of the Year” in 1952. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

In 1956, she began an almost 40-year teaching career in Culver City schools, where she was beloved by students and teachers alike. Teaching mostly kindergarten and second grade, Diane culminated her career helping to launch innovative language immersion programs in Japanese and Spanish.

At Betsy Ross School, she met fellow teacher and husband to-be David Goldberg. Married in 1960, they moved to the Alphabet Streets in the Palisades in 1963.

Following retirement from teaching in 1994, Diane enjoyed many years appearing in TV and print commercials in what she described as “elegant senior” roles. She devoted decades to beautifying the Palisades community, serving as a board member of the Palisades Garden Club and tending to the Theatre Palisades and local school gardens as well.

Diane took pride in collecting age-group medals from the annual Will Rogers 4th of July 5K race, showing them off to family and friends who gathered at the “Goldie’s Garden” backyard. As “Grandma Di Di,” she cheered on her grandchildren, Ben and Caroline, as they competed in tennis tournaments, and for Palisades High and then the UCLA Tennis teams.

In addition to her two grandchildren, Diane is survived by her son Danny and daughter-in-law Vicky, also of Pacific Palisades, and numerous friends and admirers. She was predeceased by son Donald and daughter Ann and husband David.

Private funeral services for Diane were held at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City.

To honor Diane, donations can be made to the Culver City Community Scholarship Fund, c/o Culver City High School, 4401 Elenda Street, Culver City, CA 90230 (Please indicate Diane Goldberg in memo on check).