Diane Bernard

Prof. Dr. L. Diane Bernard Dear, as she was known by many, 87, passed peacefully at her home April 3rd, 2016. The daughter of Clark C. and Antoinette, Diane’s life began November 9, 1928 in Rockaway Beach, New York. She loved the Big Apple and all it had to offer: Broadway, The Board Walk, Greenwich Village, Seagate, Nathan’s hotdogs and the hustle bustle and hum of it’s streets. Diane was a pioneer, daughter, teacher, professor, mentor, educator, mother, feminist, friend, administrator, philanthropist, author, advocate and endless supporter of equal rights for all. Diane was a luminary in her career, her community and in her life. Diane forged a career by following her life’s North Star. She lived what her authentic voice spoke when she wrote: “Helping others to achieve their potential started out as a professional commitment and has become a personal conviction. Time and emotional investment are highly valued and selfishly guarded commodities but they are meaningless unless they are spent. Investment in the life of others has enriched my own. Form, structure and content are empty without the capacity for human relationships.” Diane’s career was vast and expanded over 70 years. She lived throughout the United States leaving her imprint, friends and colleagues everywhere she settled. She created new and innovative curriculums for programs in Social Work that shifted the experiential education for many of the universities throughout the United States. She received many honors, awards and achievements in her life. Some of which included: B.A. in Psychology from Roosevelt College, M.A. in Psychology from the University of Houston, MSW from Tulane University, Ph.D in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College and an Honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Tulane University. She was a charter member of the National Association of Social Work, President and CEO of the Council in Social Work Education, Director of Accreditation Council of Social Work Education, Dean of the School of Social work at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla., Director of the Doctoral Program at VCU, School of Social Work, Richmond, VA., Director of Doctoral Program, Belle Spafford Chair, University of Utah and one of the Founding Editors of AFFILIA - Women in Social Work. Diane was a huge advocate and supporter for LGBT rights. Her courage, commitment and compassion for everyone’s right to openly express themselves was her cornerstone. She had an incredible capacity to hear a person’s heart, encouraging it to sing out, and to celebrate it when it would strike its perfect note. Diane related to people in the present moment rather than reminisce about past events and achievements. She was insightful, generous and honest in her friendships. She was devoted to learning and growing. Her intent was to deepen her relations with all that life and love had to offer. She was preceded in death by her partner Joan Heller and her mother and father. At Diane’s request there will be no formal services. A celebration will be held April 18th at The Granary in Santa Clara, Utah from 7:00-9:00pm. Friends, family and colleagues are invited to come and share their memories of Diane’s full, full life. There is a Facebook page for Prof. Dr. L. Diane Bernard Dear where you can leave stories, memories and photographs. If you don’t use Facebook: DrLolaDianeBernard@groups.facebook.com If you use Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DrLolaDianeBernard/ In lieu of flowers, you can donate to P.A.W.S. online: www.dixiepaws.org or send checks to P.A.W.S. 1125 West 1130 North, St. George, Utah Arrangements and memorial tree planting are under the direction of the Cremation Center of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.

Diane Bernard

November 9, 1928 - April 3, 2016