Diana Marie Quint

Diana, aka Dede, brought comfort and peace to all around her. She was always willing to give a helping had to those in need. She spent many hours visiting the sick and shut ins. She was inspirational to her friends and generous to a fault. Dede never had to be asked to participate, she always volunteered. If you knew Dede you were aware of her desire to always be of assistance in any way she could. She was an angel sent to bless all who were fortunate to know and love her.

Dede from an early age sang in the church choir. Her grammar school teachers, recognizing her musical talent, provided instruments that Dede taught herself to play, including but not limited to the piano, violin and saxophone. She even traded her beloved bicycle, given by her parents when she was about 10 for her own saxophone. Her parents encouraged her interest in basketball, baseball and football. She, too, enjoyed close companionship with her many pets, including Bonina her palomino horse, farms animals, and dogs.

Dede was a devote Catholic and recognized as a member of The Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Her faith in Christ guided her in life. Dede’s belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior sustained her throughout her life; she was a strong woman, full of wisdom and statue and created a legacy of faithfulness. Her loving heart touched many and she will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Dede had a deep love for Jesus, as she understood him. Dede was kind, generous, and a great listener with her friends and strangers alike; she had the wonderful gift of making people feel special.

After graduating from San Diego High School Dede was the first woman cashier to work at Piggly Wiggley. WWII was then upon her and she went to work in the acid pits at Convair.

Beginning at the age of 20 Dede was a church organist and pianist. She also played for weddings and memorial services. A most memorable story that Dede told was the time she played in a mortuary for a double ring wedding ceremony, while the groom was at rest in the casket.

Diana graduated from San Diego State University, where she also received her Master’s Degree in Education. Her thesis was mathematics for the gifted.

After graduation from San Diego High School Diana had many jobs;

She was a church organist for over 72 years. She played at Bonham Brothers Mortuary; and was a church organist in La Mesa and then she was an organist for Brooklyn heights Presbyterian Church, which later moved to North Park and became Convenant Presbyterian Church. She was there for almost 40 years.

She played many of her own compositions. She faithfully played the organ and accompanied the choir each Sunday and at midweek rehearsals.

Dede taught elementary school for 32 years. While teaching in elementary school she had her children write poems and she would then put them to music. She also introduced her students to percussion instruments which enhanced their singing performances. The children would sing these songs in assemblies. Following the assemblies Dede gave the gave the parents a hand written manuscript as a keepsake.

Although Dede never married she was like a mother to hundreds of

children.

Her students have written: She inspired them to be a good student. Dede would recall the time a 2nd grader came up to her and said: “I was born to be in your chorus”. Dede would put their poems to music and the songs were song by the school chorus. Dede kept in touch with many of her students. They felt it was a privilege to have had her in their life. She was a perfect example of someone who lived life to the fullest through selfless giving.

Thanks goes to Linda Stump, her room mother, who gave a retirement party celebrating 32 years of teaching. A highlight of this party was receiving a letter from Tommy Lasorda extending congratulations for a job well done presented by Linda.

Continuing with Dede’s life, after she retired from teaching she volunteered at Dewey Elementary School and for 30 years brought music and chorus to the 2nd-6th grade children. Due to this, San Diego Unified School District honored her as the Volunteer of the year when she was in her 90’s. The school named their auditorium in her honor, “The Dede Quint Music Hall”.

In addition, she composed music and a symphony. She was a bowler, golfer, church organist and avid sports fan. Dede’s nickname was Mother of the Dodgers, as she was an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Dede had so many activities that she loved: Opera, Plays, Golf, Bowling and of course eating out. She had friends that would join her for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She loved to go to the local casinos and one time won a $200,000 jackpot, which of course she quickly gave away to friends and the church.

After retiring Dede decided she needed another activity, so she began delivering the morning Union Tribune to the neighbors in Loma Portal. Many of the subscribers were shocked and thankful to find their paper hanging on their front door or neatly placed on their doormat. If Dede had plans to be away on a delivery day, she would enclose a note in each paper telling her customers “it’s hide and seek – you will have to look for your paper”, because Cherie & Katie would be tossing the paper from their van .

As an opera lover, she told stories of traveling to Los Angeles to watch and listen to the legendary artists she admired. There was not an opera Diana didn’t love with the grand acting, scenery, costumes and dance but it was the music that spoke to her. Diana’s favorite composer was Puccini and her favorite opera was Turandot. Puccini died before the completion of Turandot but he lived on through his music. Like Puccini, Diana lives on through her gifts of music and shared love of opera.

She was a member and President of The Ladies group at Balboa Golf Course from 1990-1991. She was Tournament Director for many years and became President of Torrey Pines Ladies Club from 1987 – 1988. She was President of Eastlake Golf Club. In addition, she was President of WPLGASC, Women’s Publinks Golf Association of southern California from 1995-1996. As a side note, Dede played FOUR rounds of golf in one day at Warner Springs Golf Course. An example of Dede is when she hit 13 brand new golf balls into a creek while trying to get to the other side. Her comment “Oh gracious”.

She bowled with the ladies at KM Bowling Alley in the Alley Surfers League.

Dede had so many friends around the city and state. She was always willing to give a helping had to those in need. She spent many hours visiting the sick and shut-ins. She was inspirational to her friends and generous to a fault. Dede never had to be asked to participate, she always volunteered. If you knew Dede you were aware of her desire to always be of assistance in any way she could. She was an angel sent to bless all who were fortunate to know and love her.

Diana loved eating out with her many friends. She loved to go to the local casinos and one time won a $200,000 jackpot, which of course she quickly gave away to friends and the church.

Dede will be remembered for so many things including her Patriotism and least we forget, her love of chocolate. Her brownies were the best.

As a closing note, Corinthians 13:4-8 defines Dede’s life.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where this is knowledge, it will pass away.