“Patty,” daughter of Leo and Mary and sister of Marilyn, was born in Rochester, New York. Growing up surrounded by her Sicilian family, she excelled in ballet. After studying English at Nazareth College, she briefly moved to New York City where she performed as a singer and dancer. She then earned an MA in Montessori Education from Xavier University before hitch-hiking to California in the Summer of Love, where she began going by “Diana.” A founding teacher of the San Francisco School, she became increasingly interested in the native peoples and the natural world, both of which drew her to Humboldt County in the early 1970s. It was in Arcata that Diana made her home, married and raised a family.

A lifelong teacher of all ages, she influenced countless minds and touched innumerable lives. The heart of her four-decade career was spent at Garfield School, in Freshwater. She will also be remembered for her boundless energy and involvement in local theater and music, tutoring young readers, mentoring fellow teachers, guiding groups at the Arcata Marsh, developing local Indian curriculum and establishing a neighborhood watch.

More than anything she was a mother whose unconditional love will forever be missed and treasured by her children: Rachael, Susannah and Owen. Her final days were spent peacefully in her home surrounded by her family, partner Elsworth Pence and dearest friends. Diana left her body on Independence Day, to fireworks. Now, one of the brightest lights has gone out.

Memorial donations, in her honor, may be made to Planned Parenthood, Hospice of Humboldt and the Young Reader’s Program of the Humboldt County Library.

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Diana Heberger’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.