Carla “Diane” Domenichelli
August 8, 1938 – September 26, 2026
Carla “Diane” Domenichelli, 88, of McKinleyville, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026.
Diane was born on August 10, 1938, in Arcata, to Silas and Irene Francis. In 1952, her family moved to Cloverdale, where her parents purchased a portion of the old Rancho Musalacon and established a small vineyard. Diane graduated from Cloverdale High School in 1956.
After high school, Diane went to work at the Italian Swiss Colony Winery in Asti, where she caught the attention of Ernie Domenichelli. Ernie was determined to take her on a date, but Diane wasn’t so easily persuaded. After several attempts, she finally said yes. One date was all it took for Ernie to decide she was the one. They married in 1959 and made their home in Cloverdale, where they raised their three children, Dennis, Lisa and Tina.
While raising her family, Diane enjoyed participating in the annual pet parade at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, entering her children and their pets in themed costumes she made herself. She was also active in 4-H, volunteering as a leader for several years.
Diane continued her education at Santa Rosa Junior College, graduating in 1982 and 1985 with an Associate of Science degree and her Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) qualification. She worked at Healdsburg General Hospital in the newborn nursery, assisting with deliveries and postpartum care.
In 1991, Diane and Ernie relocated to Humboldt County, returning to the area where Diane was born. They settled in McKinleyville, where Diane worked at Eureka Family Practice, Mad River Hospital Home Health and Cher-Ae Heights Casino before retiring.
Diane was intelligent, outspoken and quick-witted, with a great sense of humor. She was an avid reader with a particular interest in history and enjoyed learning new things. Her many hobbies included sewing, crafting, gardening, baking and hunting for opals and agates. She had a notorious sweet tooth and was rarely without a batch of chocolate chip cookies or brownies to share.
Diane also enjoyed watching baseball with Ernie, who had been an accomplished ballplayer himself. A die-hard Yankees fan, Diane never missed an opportunity to root against the Red Sox.
Diane especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always loved a chance to visit and share a banana split.
Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Domenichelli; her son, Dennis Domenichelli; her parents, Silas and Irene Francis; her brother, Alan Francis; her brother-in-law, Fran Lile.
Diane is survived by her daughters, Lisa Perkins (Yvonne Winter) and Tina Garrett (Johnny); her grandchildren, Matt Perkins (Miranda), Kelly Dickey (Eric), Josh Winter, Trevor Garrett (Katie), and Jenna Garrett; her great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Sunny, and Wyatt Perkins, Elizabeth Goody, Kennedy and Corinne Dickey, and Karson and Talon Garrett; her sister, Susan Lile; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Francis; several nieces and nephews; and family friend, Mark Perkins. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Tommie, and her dear neighbors and friends, Mike, John and Kari.
Diane and Ernie lived a full life together and always had a story to tell. They are greatly missed by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Diane Domenichelli’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.