Diane L. Goldberg

Celebrating the Life of Diane L. Goldberg

October 22, 1941 – July 17, 2026

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord."— Matthew 25:23

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Her kindness and leadership left a lasting impression on patients, coworkers, and the community she faithfully served.

With hearts both broken and grateful, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Diane L. Goldberg, who entered into the presence of her Lord on July 17, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born on October 22, 1941, in Sanger, California, Diane spent much of her childhood growing up in Long Beach, California, where she proudly became a member of the first graduating class of Millikan High School in 1956. As a young woman, she later moved to Walnut Creek, California, embracing an adventurous chapter of life during the late 1960s. Her children loved trying to persuade her to share stories from her "hippie days," but Diane would simply smile, laugh, and keep those memories mostly to herself—a family mystery that always brought a smile.

On November 25, 1966, Diane married the love of her life, Jay Goldberg. Together they built a marriage rooted in faith, unwavering devotion, and unconditional love that would span nearly sixty years. In 1969, they made La Palma, California, their home, where they became deeply woven into the fabric of the community they loved.

One of the greatest blessings of Diane's life came through Children's Home Society of Santa Ana, where she and Jay adopted their beloved children, David and Leilani. Forever grateful for the gift of adoption, Diane dedicated more than twenty years to volunteering with Children's Home Society, raising funds and supporting the very organization that had forever changed her family's life. She believed every child deserved the opportunity to know the love, security, and belonging of a family.

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Diane made people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Professionally, Diane devoted more than 30 years of her life serving others as the Dental Director of ABC Dental Health Center in Hawaiian Gardens, a nonprofit clinic where she compassionately cared for hundreds of patients and families. She believed quality healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances, and her kindness and leadership left a lasting impression on patients, coworkers, and the community she faithfully served. She was also a proud member of the Harbor Dental Society, where she built lifelong friendships while continuing her commitment to excellence in dentistry and community service.

Service to others was never simply something Diane did—it was who she was.

Her lifelong commitment to serving others was recognized when she received the Cypress College Foundation Americana Award, one of Orange County's most distinguished civic honors celebrating individuals whose volunteerism, leadership, and dedication have strengthened their communities. True to Diane's humble nature, she never sought recognition, but those who knew her understood that her life of service had touched countless lives.

Among the many causes close to her heart, she helped raise funds to purchase the first protective vest for the La Palma Police Department's first police dog, believing that those who faithfully served others deserved to be protected as well.

Her compassion extended far beyond people. Diane had an extraordinary love for animals and devoted countless hours to rescuing abandoned pets, fostering them, and helping them find loving homes. Through her volunteer work with spcaLA in Long Beach, she became known as someone who never turned away an animal in need. Her love for animals became one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her family, inspiring future generations to lead with the same compassion.

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Diane often demonstrated that a meaningful life is measured not by what we accumulate, but by what we give away—our kindness, our compassion, our time, and our love.

Those who knew Jay and Diane knew they were a true partnership. While Jay's accomplishments were often recognized publicly, those closest to them understood the truth behind the saying, "Behind every successful man is a successful and strong woman." Diane was that woman.

She faithfully stood beside Jay as he earned his doctoral degree and throughout his years of dedicated service in Freemasonry. Her love, wisdom, encouragement, and steadfast support became the foundation upon which so many of their shared dreams were built. Together, they created not only a successful life, but a family rooted in faith, service, compassion, and unconditional love.

Of all the roles Diane cherished in life, none brought her greater joy than being "Nana." It was the name that filled her heart and the one she wore with the greatest pride.

Diane enjoyed the simple elegance of life. She loved fresh flowers, beautiful shades of blue, and believed there was something special about presenting yourself with grace and dignity. She appreciated looking her best—not because appearances mattered most, but because she believed caring for yourself reflected respect for both yourself and those around you. Her family smiles knowing that even now, she would probably remind us that there can never be too many beautiful flowers.

She possessed a wonderful sense of humor, a generous heart, and a compassionate spirit that naturally drew people to her. Whether comforting a frightened child, helping a patient, encouraging a friend, rescuing an abandoned animal, or simply offering a listening ear, Diane made people feel seen, valued, and loved. She believed in showing up for the people she loved, and in doing so, she quietly changed countless lives.

Her greatest accomplishments cannot be measured by awards or titles, but by the lives she shaped. She never sought recognition for the good she did. Whether she was caring for a patient, raising money for a worthy cause, rescuing an animal, encouraging a friend, or supporting her family, Diane simply believed that if you had the ability to help someone, you should. She lived her faith not only in words, but in the quiet, everyday acts of compassion that became the hallmark of her life.

Her daughter inherited Diane's love for animals and her belief that every life has value, carrying forward the lessons Diane lived every day.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved son, David Goldberg, who passed away on January 8, 2026, and by the love of her life, Jay Goldberg, who entered into eternal rest on February 16, 2026. Just five months later, Diane was called Home, and her family finds comfort in imagining the joyful reunion that awaited her in Heaven.

She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Leilani Parker, and son-in-law, Bruce Parker. Diane's greatest joy was being Nana to her cherished grandchildren, Taylor Avila and Axel Goldberg, each of whom held a special place in her heart. She also leaves behind extended family, treasured friends, former colleagues, neighbors, and countless patients whose lives were enriched by her kindness and care.

The family wishes to extend their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and hospice nurses who lovingly cared for Diane during her final journey. Your tenderness, dignity, patience, and unwavering kindness brought comfort not only to Diane, but to all who loved her. Thank you for allowing her final days to be filled with peace, music, prayer, compassion, and love. Your gentle hearts and extraordinary care will never be forgotten.

Though our hearts ache in her absence, we rejoice in knowing that Diane is now in the presence of her Savior, reunited with her beloved husband, her precious son, and all those who went before her.

Diane often demonstrated that a meaningful life is measured not by what we accumulate, but by what we give away—our kindness, our compassion, our time, and our love. She gave generously of all four.

Her legacy lives on in every patient she comforted, every child she championed, every animal she rescued, every friendship she treasured, every flower she admired, every act of kindness she inspired, and in the family she so dearly loved.

"Rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, reunited with those she loved."