Diana Valaree (Brown) Norris

Diana went peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning of
November 5, 2022 at her residence in Cherry Valley Healthcare, Banning. CA. She was born February 6, 1932
to Wilbert M. Brown and Pauline Pearl (Rice) (Payne) Brown in Huntington Park, CA.
Diana graduated from Covina Union High School in Covina CA in 1949, and in 1951 earned an AA degree from
Pasadena City College. She had a 40-year banking career that began with Bank of America as an Escrow
Officer, then concluded with Vineyard National Bank in Rancho Cucamonga CA as a Real Estate Loan Auditor.
She was gifted with a remarkably beautiful operatic soprano voice and excelled in using her voice for the glory
of God. She traveled and sang with the Audrey Mieir Harmony Chorus, sang with church choirs, with the Azusa
Pacific University Choir, and often sang as a soloist. She was especially blessed to be invited to sing with the
International Christian Choir on three different visits to Israel during the annual Feast of the Tabernacles.
Diana enjoyed people and was outgoing and involved in her community. She was a past President of the
Pomona Toastmasters' Club, and a past Vice President of the Sun Lakes Chorale. With the Chorale she
participated in talent shows, drama presentations and specialty singing groups.
Diana and Howard, her husband of 47 years, enjoyed traveling together around the USA and abroad. They also
enjoyed cruising with special friends on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. For nearly 25 years, they lived in
the lovely Sun Lakes Country Club Community. Then in 2019, because of health concerns, they both moved
into skilled nursing at Cherry Valley Healthcare. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful
and loving caregivers there.
Diana was preceded in death by her beloved husband Howard, who passed in January 2022, and by her
parents Pauline and Wilbert Brown. She is survived by her brother Charles A. Payne (Robin) of Napa, CA - and
his several children; her cousin Ruth Vadaii of San Gabriel CA and her two daughters; step-daughter Janet
Norris Miller (James) of Nine Mile Falls, WA; grandson Richard T. Meyer (Theresa) of Spokane Valley, WA and
several loving and kind long-time friends. She will be fondly remembered for her beautiful voice, her often
dramatic storytelling, and her deeply enduring love for Jesus.
Interment is planned for Wednesday, March 29th at 1:30 PM at Riverside National Cemetery. She will share a
burial site with her husband Howard. Wiefels & Son Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Diana would be grateful to have any memorial contributions directed to her beloved Fellowship Church in
Beaumont, CA

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