On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Diane Eileen Vaccarello, of Danville, CA, loving wife, mother of two, and grandmother of two, passed away quickly and peacefully at the age of 81, in San Ramon, CA.

Diane was born on January 2, 1941, in San Fernando, CA to David Field and Rachel (Watson) Field. She received her high school diploma from San Fernando High School in 1958. Diane was active in Job’s Daughters and was Bethel’s Honored Queen. After high school Diane attended Valley Junior College with Dale. After Junior College she transferred to California State College North Ridge. She became a licensed California Cosmetologist in 1967. On October 26, 1962, she married Dale Vaccarello in Redwood City, CA. She and Dale raised two children, Kimberly Lynn Vaccarello and Todd Curtiss Vaccarello. Diane worked tirelessly as a special education instructional assistant at Steinbeck Middle School, in San Jose, CA for 20 years, taking pride and enjoyment working with the students and staff. It was during her time at Steinbeck Middle School that she coached the spirit squad.

Diane was passionate about cats and dogs; bestowing love upon and spoiling rotten her many family pets (Frisky, Rascal, Tiba, and Campbell). She would never hesitate to feed and give love to stray fur babies. Diane enjoyed boating and waterskiing on the Delta and spent every summer weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day enjoying the sun, the water, and the company of many friends. Cooking was another labor of love for Diane. She learned to cook traditional Italian dishes from her Italian mother-in-law, Mary Vaccarello. Saturday afternoons were often the time Diane would spend hours in the kitchen creating dinner for her family that might range from pork wontons and fried rice, to spaghetti and meatballs, to Swiss steak with mashed potatoes, one of her favorites. Diane took great pride and pleasure in cooking and baking for her family, friends, and other people in her life; it was her way of thanking them and letting them know that she cared. Diane had a healthy sweet-tooth and would often be known to sneak bites of dessert late at night, as evidenced by the crumb trail left in the kitchen. Along with her love of desserts, she liked black licorice and diet Pepsi. Diane loved planning parties and get-togethers at her house. She also had a creative side. Her creative outlet was seen in her love of sewing clothes and Halloween costumes for the family, arts and craft projects such as decoupage, and decorating cakes for all types of occasions. Christmas and Halloween were her favorite holidays, and her house was always decorated to reflect these times of year. Diane thoroughly enjoyed and got great pleasure from shopping for new decorations and adding them to the house and her collection.

Diane was proceeded in death by her father, David, her mother, Rachel, and brother David, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Dale, her daughter Kim, her son Todd, her daughter-in-law Heidi and her two grandchildren, Dominic and Gabriella.

Join the family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive Danville, CA Euguene O’Neil Room 1:00-3:00pm.

Any donations can be made to a local animal shelter or ASPCA in the name of Diane Vaccarello.