Diane Joan Ward

Diane Joan Ward, 78 of Arroyo Grande, CA sadly passed away after a lengthy illness surrounded by her loved ones on August 1, 2025.  Diane was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on September 21, 1946 to William Dasher and Vivian Dasher.  After graduating North Hollywood High School and some adventures in between, Diane worked for the Department of Transportation and was one of the first women to work on an outside Caltrans crew.  Rising through the ranks and 28 years later, retired from the District 5 San Luis Obispo Office in Contract Management.

Diane was a lover of nature, so much that as a single mother with one son, she showed her resourcefulness by living in a tree house that lacked the modern amenities, in a northern California community with only nine residents named Gorilla Gulch.  While working at Caltrans she met the love of her life and best friend, Bruce Ward who had two daughters.  The were married on May 24,1980 becoming a blended family unit.  Their marriage was a true close partnership filled with so much love and a strong devotion for each other that they were never apart.

Her family and friends will remember her as an independent, strong woman who was a loving Wife, Mother, Mother in law, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother to  be, Sister, Aunt and Cousin.

Diane is survived by her beloved husband Bruce Ward, her son Matthew Kilmartin, her Daughters Laurie (Rick) Rojas, Shawn Pryor, her brothers Bob (Rudy) Dasher, Rick (Germaine) Dasher, her sister Deborah (GS) Hart, her Grandchildren Jacob Kilmartin, Kristianna (Doug) Rojas, Eric Rojas, Christopher Rojas, Alexis Pryor, Kaitlyn Pryor, many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Diane is preceded in death by her parents William Dasher, Vivian Carrol and son in law Beau Pryor.

The family encourages you to spend the day outside watching the birds, enjoying the trees, embracing nature that God gave us and remembering Diane as nature brought her much joy.

A celebration of life will be held on August 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel 1239 Longbranch Avenue, Grover Beach, California.  

Please join us after the services for a reception at Calvary Chapel Arroyo Grande 1133 Maple Street, Arroyo Grande California 93420

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Diane Joan Ward, please visit our floral store.