Diane Hopmans/Hampson

Diane Hopmans (Hampson), 68, passed away unexpectedly on August 16, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. She was born on January 18, 1957, in New York, where she grew up surrounded by a large and loving family.

Diane’s life was defined by her generous and caring spirit. She had a natural gift for nurturing others—people and animals alike—and carried that compassion into her life’s work. Guided by this calling, she earned a degree in nursing and dedicated her career to bringing comfort, dignity, and reassurance to those facing difficult health challenges.

She deepened this innate sensitivity through her long pursuit of meditation, which brought her greater patience, clarity, and a remarkable intuition for what others needed in difficult moments.

Later in life, Diane embraced a new passion for art. She attended many seminars through SBCC’s School of Extended Learning, where she made numerous friends and found a vibrant creative community. She was prolific in her artistic growth, exploring her craft with enthusiasm and joy.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her legacy of warmth, empathy, and quiet strength will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. For more information, please contact Wendy Rockwood at 805-207-9243.