Lorena Diane Barmore, affectionately known as Diane, passed away peacefully in her home in the early morning of October 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Diane was born in Phoenix, Arizona on February 3, 1945 to Eileen Martha Rainbeau and George Albert Doss.

Diane spent her early childhood years in Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande, Calif., with her mother, two older brothers Kenny and Larry, and grandparents Charlie and Lola Rainbeau. She had a carefree and happy childhood, sneaking out of her house while everyone was still fast asleep in her pink ruffled panties and matching nightshirt at the age of three! Diane didn’t go far, just a couple of doors down to visit her friend Gordy the coffee shop owner. Gordy would give Diane a day-old doughnut with a mug of warm milk and a splash of coffee while he called her mother. As she got older she enjoyed swinging from tree branches, bodysurfing in the waves of Pismo Beach, and riding the swings like a trapeze artist at her grandfather’s carnival, which he won in a poker game.

In her adolescent years her mother and brothers relocated to San Jose, where her mother, “Swanee,” joined her sister (Aunt Toni) in the restaurant business. Diane’s aunt Toni owned The Cats Restaurant in Los Gatos. Diane attended James Lick High School, where she made lifelong friends Diane (Bruce), Esther (Rich),Suzie (Rudy), Florece (Steve), Betti and Beverly. While attending junior college Diane joined her mother and aunt in the restaurant business, where she met her first husband, Albert Smith, and had four children Ben (Leslie), Danielle (Rick), Maggie (Shawn) and Wendy (Matt).

The Smith family ended up settling in San Luis Obispo, where Albert graduated from Cal Poly. Diane raised her four children there until 1986, when she packed up her VW van with four teenagers to buy the Cafe Waterfront in Eureka. Here she created a whole new family of amazing employees and a restaurant like no other. She spent 20 years there before passing the torch to her son Ben, creating a beautiful restaurant and bed and breakfast upstairs. She had high standards of excellent consistent food, great drinks and employees who she considered family. Her employee parties were like no other, from camping trips with concerts, to trains and boats, there was always a live band and dancing. Diane was known for her kind heart, generosity and wise advice.

In the late 1990s Diane met her devoted husband of 27 years, Micheal Barmore. Being a singer and musician, Mike and Diane enjoyed music, dancing, travel, food and mostly their family.

Diane is survived by her husband, Mike; son Ben (Leslie); daughters Danielle (Rick), Maggie (Shawn), and Wendy (Matt); her seven grandchildren, Henry (Bryn), Max, Otto, Grayce, Griffin, Jack and Luke; nieces Heidi and Denise, and nephews Kenneth and Larry.

Diane is proceeded in death by her mother, Eileen, and stepfather, Joe; father, George; brothers Kenny and Larry; sister-in-law Genny; her aunt Toni; grandparents Charlie and Lola; her beloved restaurant family, Bob McKonkey and Annie Huettner, and last but not least her beloved goldendoodle, Honey Baby Sweetie Cutie Pie.

Diane was small but fierce and with her passing she leaves a void in our hearts that can never be filled. She will be missed by many beyond what words can express.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, November 7, at 3 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka. In lieu of flowers you can donate to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Humboldt County Animal Shelter.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lorena Barmore’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.