Diana (Runner) Elizondo


50th Anniversary

THE “LEAVE IT TO BEAVER” YEARS

Being a native Californian is part of who I am. I was born Diana Lynn Runner in Santa Cruz on October 25,1944. My first 7 years were spent in Brookdale and Ben Lomond. In 1952, after the birth of my sister Kathy, (also a Campbell High graduate) we moved to a house on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Hunt Way where I lived until my wedding day in 1967.

I am a product of the Campbell School system, attending Rosemary Elementary, Campbell Grammar and Campbell High. While I was a pretty mediocre violinist and horn player, music opened up opportunities for me to participate in orchestra and band. Those times were the icing on the cake for my high school years. I loved playing for our musicals, participating in football halftime shows, representing the high school at Shriners games at Kezar Stadium and being part of a rag-tag “band” named Lord Invader and the Umpteen Penetrators that crashed parades and actually won awards.

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Following graduation from San Jose State with an elementary teaching credential, Larry and I were married on June 24, 1967. By then we had already known each other for 11 years after meeting in7th grade homeroom class and dating since our junior year of high school.  After 3 years of teaching at Dover Elementary (another Campbell school) we welcomed our first son Errin. I was lucky enough to become a stay-at-home mom. In 1973 we moved to Singapore where Scott was born.  Living there for 2 years was a wonderful, all be it sometimes challenging experience that enriched my perspectives.

The next 14 years were filled with events revolving around “the boys”. We moved to Morgan Hill and shared their enthusiasm for baseball, football, soccer, band, family vacations, horses and even raising pigs!-The Great American Dream.  This was when I first developed my passion for volunteering and I worked with The Children’s Home Society and Junior League of San Jose

TO TEACH IS TO LEARN TWICE OVER

In 1986 I returned to teaching, this time in Morgan Hill at Nordstrom and El Toro Schools. Teaching 1st grade I always felt that I got more from my students and their families than I ever gave. It was truly a labor of love. As Errin and Scott were attending college and starting their own families, Larry and I were enjoying some foreign travel and learning to be empty nesters. By 2002 we had been blessed with 3 grandchildren, Brenna, Justin and Emma, who we visit often in Littleton Colorado
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THE GOLDEN YEARS

Retirement came in 2002 as did a move to Murrieta, adjacent to Temecula which is known as the Napa of Southern California.  I returned to volunteering , first working with Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, as an officer of the court representing foster children and now with Assistance League which is a national nonprofit organization with over 120 chapters nation-wide. Our philanthropic programs provide school supplies, health needs, foster youth support, financial literacy training, scholarships and other resources for the neediest families in the communities we serve. Our Operation School Bell program provides over 300,000 children with new school clothes each year.

Larry and I continue to enjoy the luxury of time in our retirement. Our grandson Kael, born in 2010, lives near us and we have become active baby/boy sitters.

I want to thank Lynda for this opportunity to share what I know are common experiences with all of you.  This reflection on my life has reminded me of how very much I have to be thankful for and at the top of that list is my wonderful husband Larry who supports me in everything I have ever wanted to do.

Son Errin, Diana, younger son Scott and Larry in the back row