DIANE WADDELL

Diane Waddell (Wright) was born in San Diego, California on August 20,1949 to Thomas Lee
and Ever Lee Wright. She was the second oldest of six children. Diane attended Chollas
Elementary, Gompers Junior High School, and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in
1968. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Reading
and Language Arts in 1972 and with a Master’s Degree in Education on June 1, 1974.

At an early age, Diane accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Mount Sinai
Baptist Church. On September 4,1971, she married Washington Waddell. Together they shared
the joy of raising their two children, Washington Remawn Waddell and Diane Drishell Waddell. 

Diane commenced her career in the banking industry working at California First Bank. She was a
wiz in finance.  However, Diane was drawn by her passion of nurturing, helping, and supporting
children and became a teacher. Diane devoted her life to being one of the best educators in our
community, friend and mother. She was employed with San Diego Unified School District for
over fifty (50) years. She taught at several elementary schools in San Diego Unified School
District, most of her teaching years at Holmes Elementary. 

Diane was so driven by her passion and dedication for early childhood development education
that throughout her career she not only became a classroom teacher, but also a Reading Recovery
Teacher, Resource Teacher, Push-In Teacher, Mentor Teacher, and an Acting Principal.
Retirement was not meant for Diane. Even though she formally retired in 2009 after 34 years of
service, she continued substitute teaching until August of 2024. Diane was always a Champion
for the underdog, having a special gift for getting every child who crossed her path to succeed.
She poured her whole heart and soul into her teaching. She wanted every child to achieve their
maximum potential. She invested tireless time and energy into making a difference in our future
generations.

Beyond her professional achievements, Diane was a beacon of learning. Like her students, she
believed in life-long learning. She earned a Reading Specialist credential. She also received
Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD), ESL, and GATE certificates.
On September 6,1975 she became a member in a strong sisterhood with the Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority. Later in life, she joined the BOOK CLUB, a group of women bonded by their intellect
and desire to discuss issues of social consciousness.

Diane was also an Usher at the San Diego Old Globe Theater for many years.  Her love of Art
and Music was profound and reached the depths of her soul. She enjoyed being a part of the
community and stayed deeply committed to enriching children’s lives through creative and
performing arts.

The adventure of traveling was one of Diane’s greatest joys in life. In 2009 for her retirement
gift, Diane traveled to Barcelona, Spain and to Rome and Florence, Italy. The highlight of her
travels was going to her oldest grandson’s 12U Cooperstown, New York tournament where she
got to watch him pitch a “No Hitter” game and also visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Diane was a pilar of strength and support for her family. Offering unconditional love and
devotion to her family and friends meant everything to Diane. Her family and friends were
always captivated by her infectious laughter, fun-loving upbeat spirit, and wise mindset. As a
caring and compassionate listener, she made anyone she engaged feel as though they were the
most important person in the world to her. Diane was a stellar problem solver, modeling for her
loved ones how anything could be worked through or overcome. 

Diane raised two children and was a second mom to three grandchildren. She devoted her life to
supporting all of their dreams, passions, and goals. She mentored her granddaughter to becoming
a teacher, always had a steady hand in teaching her oldest grandson how to be an outstanding
student, and physically delivered her youngest grandson into this world with the instructions of a
911 Operator! She loved watching her grandsons play baseball and basketball, literally beaming
as she cheered them on and “coached” from the sidelines of the field or in the stands.

On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, Diane went home to be with the Lord. She leaves behind her
daughter Diane (Dee Dee), grandsons Noah and Jaceyon, and granddaughter, Jaslyn. She also
leaves her four sisters: Thelma Wright, Brenda Campbell (Wright), Wanda Wright, and Marie
Wright Travis and one brother, Thomas Wright Jr. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives
and many treasured friends.

She is reunited in eternity with her husband, Washington Waddell; her parents, Thomas and Ever
Lee Wright, and her son, Washington Remawn Waddell. Diane will be deeply missed but fondly
remembered by all who were blessed to know her!

"Teaching is the greatest act of optimism..."

~C. Wilcox

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