Diane Bennett Bedford, an interior designer, authority on California contemporary art, and beloved mother, sister, friend, and neighbor, died October 27, 2017 from complications of a stroke in her native city of Pasadena. She was 81. Diane was surrounded by her daughters and loved ones until the end and leaves a legacy of dynamic creativity and an indomitable can-do spirit. Diane attended Polytechnic School and graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School. She earned a BFA from the University of Southern California in 1958 and married William Bedford of Los Angeles.

After college, and as she started her family, Diane was a high school art teacher. She later spent many years advocating for the arts with organizations such as the Pasadena Art Museum and has been a longtime member and champion of the Pasadena Art Alliance. Diane will be remembered as a great cook, hostess extraordinaire, and occasional food critic; she produced and chaired events that her community will not soon forget. She leaves friendships built over a lifetime and the ability to turn any ordinary thing into a vibrant work of art or a story worth telling. Diane loved entertaining, spirited debate, and travel. She was a world-ready adventurer who most of all loved Mexico; it was her favorite place to be on the beach with friends and family. The last years of her life were spent in her new home at The MonteCedro in Altadena where she loved reconnecting with dear old friends and making many new ones.

Diane is survived by her three daughters Julie Bedford-McMullen, Jennifer Bedford (SPHS '81) and Kelly Bedford Willrich; four grandchildren; and her four siblings, Dr Terry Bennett, Cynthia Bennett deBeixedon, Jill Bennett Polsby and Timothy Bennett. She will be dearly, dearly missed by too many to count.

Pasadena Star-News, December 2, 2017