Diana Celmayster was born on March 12, 1942, in Coventry, England, to Alice May Watson (Sanders) and Sydney Charles Watson.
From the beginning, Diana possessed a distinguishably bright light that would define her throughout the 84 years she walked this Earth.
From an early age, she was known for being creative and curious — a happy child, always smiling, with a twinkle in her eyes.
As she grew, that twinkle blossomed into an insatiable love of life that would eventually take her around the world.
She attended Barr’s Hill Grammar School and, in 1960, at the age of 18, moved to Amarillo, Texas.
While working for Western Airlines as a stewardess, she moved to California, where she would eventually become a United States citizen in 1972.
True love found Diana on June 30, 1970, when she sashayed her way into an audition at a Beverly Hills talent agency for a modeling job. There, she immediately caught the eye of a six-foot-six, blue-eyed man who held a guitar in one hand and, as fate would have it, the promise of a lifetime of love in the other.
Four months later, on October 24, 1970, Diana and James Celmayster were married at the Self-Realization Fellowship in Santa Monica, California.
Shortly afterward, in search of a place to put down roots, the two traveled throughout much of the Western United States before ending their journey in Santa Barbara, just 75 miles north of where they had begun.
They first rented a home on Yankee Farm Road before buying their first and only home, nestled in the Santa Barbara Riviera, where they would live together for more than 52 years.
Their home became a gathering place known for home-cooked meals inspired by cuisines from around the world, creative parties, music jams, dancing, British traditions, endless laughter, and above all, a genuine love for anyone who entered their space.
Earlier in life, Diana had been advised by doctors not to have children because of health complications. Diana refused to accept that advice, often telling people that one of her life’s purposes was to be a mother.
After several unsuccessful pregnancies, Diana gave birth to her daughter in August 1974 and, later, to her son in December 1977.
That same tenacity (the determination never to give up) carried Diana throughout her life. No matter what physical challenges she faced, she maintained a vibrant and positive spirit, grounded in her belief in miracles and her unwavering faith that anything was possible with God.
Diana gave herself completely to everything she loved. She was a seamstress, a professional belly dancer, a tai chi teacher, a writer and a painter. But first and foremost, she was an extraordinary mother and wife.
At the heart of everything was Diana’s love and devotion to God. She traveled through this lifetime with one foot firmly planted on this Earth and the other in a spiritual world rooted deeply in her faith.
Many of Diana’s paintings reflect her devotion to the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, and Jesus Christ. Throughout her life, she donated several of her works to churches, while the home she shared with her family remains adorned with her paintings.
Diana is survived by James Celmayster, her husband of 56 years; daughter Cosima Celmayster; son Christos Celmayster; three grandchildren Isabella, John and Alice; sister Pauline Coleman; and many beloved family members and friends.
Though we are heartbroken by her passing, we know that the love Diana gave so freely throughout her life does not end here. Her bright light, her faith, her laughter, and her love will remain with us always and forever.
To be continued in Heaven …