Diane Beverly O'Dell

DIANE BEVERLY O'DELL
February 17, 1946 - November 11, 2019

Diane Beverly O'Dell passed suddenly but peacefully of heart failure on Monday, November 11th. Her friends and loving family have heavy hearts, but rich memories of her kindness, her warmth, her devotion, and the many ways in which she enriched all our lives. She was a loving wife, a generous mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, a phenomenal teacher, and an example to all around her of endless love and nurturing.

Diane Nerove was born in Chicago to Elsie and Jack Nerove, moving to Bakersfield with her brother Seymour at the age of nine. She attended South High School, where she played the clarinet in the marching band, and then later attended UC Santa Barbara.

Diane married Daniel O'Dell, the love of her life and husband of 54 years, in 1965. A few years later, Diane and Dan began their family with the birth of their daughter Darcy and their son Drew. Following the birth of Darcy's children Logan, Ember, and Scarlett in Seattle, Diane and Dan divided their time between their homes in Bakersfield and Lake Stevens, Washington.

Many knew Diane as a schoolteacher with the Greenfield School District, where she taught second, third, and fourth grades between 1968 and 2004 at Planz and Kendrick schools. Her students remember her as a warm and energetic teacher.

In addition to her family, her many friends, and her students, Diane loved music, sports, gambling, and travel. She played recorders and handbells at Wesley United Methodist Church, sang in the church choir, and could often be heard happily whistling or humming a tune. She was an avid watcher of her beloved LA Dodgers and her Seattle Seahawks. Diane and Dan took many cruises together and traveled across much of the world. Even once her mobility became a challenge, Diane and Dan continued to travel on cruises to Norway, Russia and Ireland in 2018.

Diane was well known for being an optimist and for always seeing the best in every situation. Diane loved every moment of her life, every person in it, especially her large and boisterous extended family.

She is survived by her husband Daniel O'Dell, her brother Seymour Nerove and his wife Inola, her daughter Darcy Perrault and her husband Alex, her son Drew O'Dell and his wife Brittany, and her grandchildren Logan, Ember, and Scarlett Perrault. She will be missed greatly and always remembered.

A memorial service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 23rd at 10:00 AM, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the church would be appreciated by the family.