Diana Denise Nadel of Coronado, California, passed away on February 29, 2012.
Diana was born on August 21, 1941 in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of Ruth and William Dayton. Diana was a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with degrees in Music and Music Education. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She was an accomplished pianist and harpist, skilled at both performance and teaching.
Diana’s gift was that she touched the lives of hundreds of children and adults to whom she taught piano, harp, and guitar lessons at her piano conservatory in El Cajon and Coronado, CA for over 40 years. A member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, she was actively teaching piano until the time of her death.
Diana was an involved community volunteer, with particular emphasis on child abuse prevention, devoting her time and talent to Friends of Children United Society for several decades.
She loved the beach and made it her home for the past 25 years. She was a member of the Coronado Cays Yacht Club and adored boating with friends.
An animal lover at heart, she leaves behind her loyal dog “Muff.”
Diana was a beautiful woman known for her generosity of time and spirit. She had the ability to speak with anyone and to light up a room.
She is survived by daughters, Amy Slotin of Gainesville, Georgia, and Paige Caras of Austin, Texas. She also leaves 5 grandchildren: Kelly, Taylor, and Chelsea Slotin, and James and Ashley Caras.
Diana will be greatly missed by her family, her devoted friends, and the countless students she inspired over the years.
A ceremony celebrating Diana’s life will take place at a place and time to be determined. If you would like to be informed of the ceremony details or to return loaned instruments to the family, please email: [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Diana’s memory to the San Diego Humane Society by calling 619-243-3401 or www.sfhumane.org.
