Diane Lee Lach

It is with a profound sense of loss and sadness that Diane’s family announces her passage into heaven on Friday, February 3, 2023.  Diane was a cherished and much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, professional and patriot.  She was loved and highly respected by all who knew her.

Diane was the fourth child of Doris and Leonard Linton born in Norfolk, Virginia. Diane’s parents and her younger brother, Charles Linton, preceded her in death.  Diane was raised in Forest Heights Md. Along with 5 siblings.  She attended Oxon Hill H.S. but was transferred by her parents to a private school, Principia Upper School in Illinois.  Diane attended Radford College in Virginia before eloping with her H.S.  sweetheart, Tony Lach marrying September 22, 1969, in Conway, S.C. After Tony completed Fleet Marine Force training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. they were off on a 53-year life together raising their family.  Their first child, John David, was born at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts in1970 and her second child, Robert Charles, was born at the Rota, Spain Naval Hospital in 1973.  Following Tony’s discharge in August 1976 the family chose to reside in Oceanside, CA because they very much liked the southern California area after being stationed at Camp Pendleton before his deployment to Vietnam as a Hospital Corpsman with 3/9, 3rd Marine Division.

Diane was a tireless worker her entire life starting as a 16 y/o community pool lifeguard in 1966 where her future husband could not help but notice her.  Diane was always working to support her young family and started working on base at Rota, Spain as head cashier.  Diane started her 31-year career working at Camp Pendleton in 1976 as an office machine operator and rose through the ranks to become the Director of the entire Food & Hospitality Division responsible for the operation of all, officer clubs and lodging facilities managing a civilian workforce up to 500 employees.

Diane’s very involved and demanding dedication to her career on Camp Pendleton earned her the attention, respect and recognition from Marine colonels, generals, and enlisted NCOs.  She received over 20 flag officer commendation letters, and many award plaques and letters. Diane received the Commander in Chief’s Special Recognition for Installation Excellence Award, and the

Secretary of the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation for support during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

Diane was not ready to retire and in 2007 she went to work for Aramark Food Service Division and took over at Director of Food Services at Palomar College in San Marcos where she worked until  finally retiring in 2014.

Diane graduated from San Diego State University with a BS degree in Vocational Education in 2000, and a Masters in Arts from Central Michigan University 2007.  Diane taught college classes in hospitality and restaurant management at both Mira Costa College in Oceanside and Palomar College in San Marcos.  Diane attained professional designations as a CHE,  Certified Hospitality Educator and as a FMP, Foodservice Management Professional.

Diane was a member of the Rancho Buena Vista chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution from 2016 to 2021.   Diane volunteered to work with several members to provide a delicious hot dinner for Marines at the Wounded Warrior Battalion Camp Pendleton every month.

Diane is survived by her husband of 53 years, Tony, and her two sons, John David Lach, 52, and Robert Charles Lach. 49. Diane has three beloved grandchildren, Nathan Lach, and Mekenzie Lach, 18. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Morris, of Washington, D.C., another sister and two brothers.

Diane will be dearly missed and always loved and remembered by her family, friends and all those she touched.

Services and viewing will be held at Allen Brothers Mortuary, 1315 S.  Santa Fe Ave., Vista from 9 to 12 with eulogies beginning at 10 on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.  Please, dress is business casual with ties unnecessary. We will depart to Miramar National Cemetery at 12:15. Instead of flowers please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego.

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