Dianna E. Carlson

DIANNA E. CARLSON passed away in Petaluma on February 1, 2014 at the age of 80 years. Loving mother of Steven Templeton (husband of Molly) of Davis, CA, Jeffrey Templeton (Lora) of Novato, and David Templeton (Susan) of Petaluma. Cherished grandmother of Jenna, Anderson, and Owen Templeton. Born in Chicago in 1933, Carlson relocated with her family to Ontario, California in her early teens. Her love of music and commitment to singing propelled her career as a lounge-singer at various clubs in the Los Angeles area, leading to a short-but-memorable stint as a torch singer with Lynn's Caravan of stars, in which she doubled as the blindfolded assistant in Lynn Parish's breathtaking whip act. She eventually found a less colorful but more stable career with S.E. Rykoff & Company, where she worked as secretary to the president and as company buyer. She was proud of her work with women choosing to address their own alcoholism, and worked as a facilitator with Women for Sobriety. A tirelessly creative person, she was deeply fond of Egyptian art, and throughout her life she mastered the crafts of cake decorating, ceramic painting, and knitting, and taught her crafts to hundreds of others. She was diagnosed with MDS over nine years ago, and believes that outliving the five-year life span she was given (by nearly double) was due to her taking responsibility for her own health and well-being. She often said that her primary goals in life were to love and be loved. She maintained her sense of humor and positive outlook to the end. Those who loved her will miss her greatly. As per her wishes there will not be a service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, CA 94952. Family assisted by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 707-763-4131.