Diane Lee Ferris

Diane Lee (Dyer) Ferris, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away while surrounded by loved ones on June 7, 2025 at the young age of 74. Diane was born November 14, 1950, the oldest of 3, in San Fernando, California to Melvin “Johnnie” Dyer and Dorothy (Reid) Dyer. Dianes family eventually moved to Oregon, where she and her younger siblings, Donna and Robert “Bob” were raised. She attended Medford High School in Oregon before starting her own family.

Diane married twice. Her first marriage to William “Bill” Durante in 1966 brought two beautiful children, William “Bill” and Jason, into her world. Her second marriage to Cleve David “Dave” Ferris in 1975 brought her three additional beautiful children, Sherie, Cleve “Dave” Jr. and Robert “Bob”. Their family was complete. After a half a dozen years or so they left Medford, OR and headed South into California, eventually landing in Sacramento, where they all planted deep roots. Diane was a great caregiver, of the young, and the old; of both people and animals alike. There was no task she would shy away from, and no rescue she would walk away from. She was both a hard worker and a loyal caretaker. She enjoyed family gatherings. Was a wonderful cook, and loved hosting friends and family barbeques for holidays and celebrations of any kind. You could always find Diane dancing barefoot to a favorite tune, no matter the genre; if it was music she was dancing. She was an avid gardener, and found pleasure in landscaping her gardens and seeing yours. She appreciated every chance to travel and cherished her memories of time well spent discovering new places. She was especially fond of the Hawaiian Islands, and was lucky to have called it home for a few years; it is also where her great love of seafood was born. She took much pleasure in watching and cheering for the San Francisco 49ers and the Sacramento Kings. Indulging in crime shows, Lifetime movies, Little House on the Prairie and any flick with Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte were some of her favorite past times. Dianes dreams of a large family was fulfilled with each new birth of a grandchild, a great grandchild and even a great-great grandchild. She boasted with pride about them all.

Diane is survived by her 5 children and their significant others; William “Bill” and Trish Durante, Jason Durante and Christina Theibes, Robert “Bob” and Tracy Ferris, Sherie and Fernando Torralba, Cleve “Dave” Ferris Jr. and Nicole Ferris; 17 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; her surviving sibling Donna Janelli. Extended family; Nieces, Katherine “Kathy”, Stephenie and Darcy. Special Friends; Jackie, Doug, Brandy and Ricardo Sifuentes, Anthony and Bradford Schwartz, Paula, Lori and Jeffrey.

Diane is predeceased by the love of her life and devoted husband, Cleve “Dave” David Ferris; her parents, Melvin “Johnnie” Dyer and Dorothy (Reid) Dyer; her youngest sibling, Robert “Bob” Dyer and nephew Tyler Dyer; her daughter in-law Sandra Durante, and special friend; Robert Sifuentes.

The Family will be honoring their beloved Diane in a private celebration of her life. Please visit W.F Gormley & Sons Funeral Home webpage if you wish to offer your condolences and sign the guestbook.

Special Thank you to The Salmon Family; Granddaughter Amanda, for all her love and grace, her supportive husband Patrick and their charming boys for their generous support and hospitality; Brandy Sifuentes-Anderson for her nurturing care.