Diana Lee Sencerbox
Diana Lee Sencerbox (nee Harder), 90, passed away on May 21, 2024, in Redondo Beach, CA. Diana was born February 8, 1934, in Bakersfield, CA, the first child of Theodore “Spud” Harder and Dorothy “Faith” (Culver) Harder.
Diana graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1951 and the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1955 where she majored in Home Economics and served as president of Delta Zeta sorority (formerly Delta Sigma Epsilon). Shortly after graduation, Diana married John Sencerbox, her high school sweetheart, at the El Montecito Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara. Together they relocated to Torrance, CA, where they spent the majority of their 68 married years building a beautiful life and family. While raising three daughters, Diana served as a Girl Scout leader and actively supported the North High School Band as well as the North High School Pep Squad, organizations in which her daughters participated.
In the 1960’s, Diana recognized a need for more young childhood education in the North Torrance area and in 1966 she founded the Presbyterian Preschool at the First Presbyterian Church of Gardena. For thirty years until retirement she directed this well-respected preschool program, which grew from its original 30 students to a maximum enrollment of 125, serving the educational needs of young South Bay families.
Diana is survived by her beloved husband, John; her brother, Ted (Jan) Harder; children Kristy (Michael) Nevolo, Kathleen (John) Sommer, and Karen (James) Jimison; grandchildren Julie (John) Halverson, Jeffrey (Diana) Nevolo, Riley (Rachel) Jimison, Dennis Nevolo, David Nevolo, Brady Jimison and Audrey Jimison; and four great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, June 11, at 11a.m. at the First Christian Church of Torrance, 2930 El Dorado Street, Torrance, CA. A private burial will follow on Wednesday, June 12, in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Family Promise, 71 Summit Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901. familypromise.org.