Diana Gray Monte

Diana Gray Monte

“Dee Dee”

1942-2023

Dee Dee Monte passed away at her home in San Anselmo on June 23 after a long illness.

She was born in Stephen’s Point, Wisconsin on January 24, 1942 to John and Margaret Gray. She lived in various parts of the Midwest: Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She graduated from high school in Glenbrook, Illinois in 1960.

After a brief stint working for TWA, she headed to the mountains. Landing in Aspen, Colorado she held various jobs, but logged far more hours on the slopes than at work.

She came out to California in 1965 and moved to Corte Madera in 1968, where she made many lifelong friendships. On a camping trip to Soda Springs she met her husband, Charlie. They settled in San Anselmo in 1976 and have been together for forty-eight years.

Dee Dee was a special, multi-talented, person. She was an artist, a decorator, and a handyperson. She could fix anything. If your car broke down in front of her house, she’d crawl underneath with a wrench and have it running in no time.

Active in sports since her childhood, she loved skiing and golf. She and Charlie were member of the Meadow Club, where they also made dozens of dear friends. Dee Dee was captain of the women’s golf team. She and her teammates traveled all over the Bay Area for golf tournaments. One of her great golf moments was a hole-in-one on the 5th hole at the Meadow Club. She and Charlie traveled to many places to play golf: Hawaii, Arizona, Scotland, and Ireland.

Skiing is still a very important part of the family’s life. All the kids had skis strapped to their feet almost as soon as they could walk. Dee Dee and Charlie traveled the world in search of powder. They made tracks in Switzerland, Austria, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Canada to name just a few places. They also shared many happy years at their home in Truckee and skiing in Squaw Valley. The Truckee home was Dee Dee’s happy place. The home was often filled to bursting with friends and family. Everyone was always welcome. It is still being enjoyed by a third generation of children.

They traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, India, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. One of their favorite trips was to Bhutan in the Himalayas. Everywhere they went, Dee Dee and Charlie were “power shoppers.” When the store owners saw them coming, they rubbed their hands in anticipation and smiled, reminding them, “All major credit cards are accepted.”

Dee Dee was well-loved so by many people. She was a loyal friend. She was independent, outspoken, and opinionated. It was part of her spirited charm. She was a nurturing mother, a loving grandmother, and a dear sister.

Dee Dee partnered with her husband for twenty-five years at Monte’s Chapel of the Hills mortuary. Her work ethic and her business acumen were second to none.

Dee Dee is survived by Charlie, her loving husband of nearly fifty years. She was a mother to Brian Flahive (Mary), Steve Flahive, Matthew Monte (Stephanie), and Christina Pardi (Jamie). She was “Grannie” and “Nonna” to Jack Flahive, Cameron and Ella Flahive, Charlie and Mari Pardi, and Miles Monte. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. And, of course, her cat Gabby.

Dee Dee was especially close to her dear brother, Bob Gray, and his wife Jane. They nurtured her and cared for her through her final days.

Friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at St. Anselm Church in San Anselmo, on July 7 at 11 AM. The entombment at Mount Olivet cemetery is private.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Bob and Jane Gray, Hospice By the Bay, and Dee Dee’s dear caretaker, Emma Valentine.

In Dee Dee’s memory, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to:
Hospice By the Bay, 17 East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Larkspur, CA 94939

The family was served by Monte’s Chapel of the Hills.

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