Diane Marie Ghilarducci

Diane Marie Ghilarducci passed away quietly in her husband’s arms at their home in Bakersfield, California on April 19, 2025.

Diane was born on May 15, 1956, and was the middle of three children in a tight-knit family. Her parents, Fred and Janette Palla, instilled their children with a deep appreciation for hard work and faith. Diane grew up in Buttonwillow, where lifelong friends like Brenda Page would visit in the summers to go swimming, play on hay bales, and see her horses. Though shy in high school, she was known for her wonderful smile and generous heart, leading her to be a candidate for homecoming queen in her senior year.

In 1974, Diane married Sam Ghilarducci, her husband of 50 years. Sharing the same values of family and commitment, they raised their four children – Samuel Ghilarducci, Jarred Ghilarducci, Courtney Ghilarducci-Dendy, and Caitlin Wonderly – and were also blessed with six grandchildren. Diane flourished in her calling as mother and caretaker. Whether cheering on at games, participating in school fundraisers, or reprising her role as secretary to help her kids type essays, Diane took her job as a mother seriously and loved her family with all her heart. She was smitten with all her grandchildren as though each was her first. Diane tracked every event and appointment across generations of family and friends, always ready with birthday cards and texts that were on time, every time.

As everyone who went to her Thanksgiving dinner knows, Diane lived to serve God, loved ones, and dessert. Every November, Sam and Diane’s garage would transform into a banquet venue hosting over 50 guests. Family and friends would bring various dishes, but Diane’s desserts were the main attraction. Eight to nine gorgeous pies would fill the countertop and the tradition would begin: first, Diane would apologize profusely for some alleged imperfection, next she’d serve you the largest “small” slice you’d ever seen, but then you’d be glad she did because it’d be the best pie you’d ever had. She would send you home with even more leftovers, then write copious notes about who enjoyed what, and swear that next year, she would make fewer pies. There were never fewer pies.

To be in Diane’s presence was to feel accepted and loved. She saw perfection within every creation, giving her love profusely and unconditionally. She was a devoted prayer warrior friend to many and the first to offer “I’ll come and help” to anyone in need. And yet, despite being beautiful inside and out, Diane was the picture of humility. She devoted her life to lifting others with a quiet fortitude and enduring value system that inspires us to be our best selves.

Diane joins her mother, Janette Palla, who passed earlier this year. She is survived by her husband, Sam Ghilarducci; children, Samuel (Vanessa) Ghilarducci, Jarred (Penny) Ghilarducci, Courtney (Jack) Ghilarducci-Dendy, and Caitlin (Andrew) Wonderly; six grandchildren; father, Fred Palla; siblings, Sharon (Albert) Ghilarducci and Mark (Lori) Palla; and sister-in-law Patricia (Norman Dale) DeShane.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. The interment will follow at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please give generously to a child in your life this week: a toy, extra dessert, or an art project (even if it is messy). Alternatively, donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Samaritan’s Purse.