09/02/1961 - 07/22/2022 Longtime CBS News producer and San Pedro resident, Diane Ronnau, has died. Ronnau fought a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer for more than 16 years, She was 60 years old. She was born in Los Angeles to Gloria Becnel Ronnau and Donald Joseph Ronnau and is survived by sons Aidan and Ben Osterman, mother Gloria, sisters Ann (Derald) Sidler and Carol Randolph and brother Don Ronnau; nieces and nephews Tracy Sidler, Jennifer Randolph, Vince (Krystal) and Chris Randolph, Jackson, Juliana, Jillian, Devin and Tristan. Survived also by her beloved cousin Jill Struck Kirby and family, and many loving cousins. Diane is a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School in Redondo Beach and UC Berkeley. She started her career in our nation's capital, working at the Smithsonian Museum before becoming a journalist. Diane eventually worked her way to CBS News, where she was a producer for 30 years, at 48 Hours, CBS Morning News, Sunday Morning, and for the past 20 years, the CBS Evening News in the Los Angeles Bureau. The breadth and depth of her coverage were astounding from forest fires to political campaigns and everything in-between including most recently, a primetime special on the conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. She never let her stage-4 cancer diagnosis and the grueling treatments stop her. Diane's twin sons Aidan and Ben were the center of her life. She said that's what kept her alive. In a 2007 CBS News Sunday Morning interview, Diane said "I choose not to be identified by cancer. I choose to be identified as a working mother. Going to work, being a mother, producing a story, covering a presidential campaign, setting up interviews it's more rewarding, it's more fulfilling to persevere through those things than it is to become lost in being a cancer victim." Her sister Ann said that even though Diane lived on the East Coast for a couple of decades, she rarely missed a family event showing up on their vacations, as they showed up on hers. At work, Diane's colleagues were in awe of her focus and fortitude. Former CBS News President and 48 Hours Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky called Ronnau a "superior journalist" who "could take on any challenge on any broadcast." CBS Evening News Executive Producer Adam Verdugo concurred. "Diane was a fighter a no-nonsense journalist with an unmatched perseverance and wit. I was always struck by her indefatigable spirit." CBS Evening News National Correspondent Lee Cowan summed it all up: "She taught us all not only about journalism, but how to live. She was one of a kind." Funeral Service Friday, July 29 at 9:30 AM at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 701 California Avenue, Santa Monica. Reception to follow.

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Published by Daily Breeze on Jul. 27, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Diane Ronnau

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6 Entries

Cynthia Bowers

September 11, 2022

I had the honor of working with Diane when Inwas at CBS News. She was not only beautiful, her smile lit the room. She was tenacious when it came to getting things right. I am so sad to learn of Diane´s death and my thoughts are with her friends and family.

My first experience with Diane was on an assignment in Florida. She showed up with a backpack. I asked where is your luggage and she said, `oh this is it.´

For the next several days she appeared in different outfits, all very hip and unwrinkled! I told her she had a Mary Poppins´ backpack and it became a running joke.

I admire her bravery courage and genuineness.

Charlie Rojas

August 24, 2022

I knew Diane when we were both undergrads at Loyola Marymount University prior to her transferring to Berkeley. We had a speech class, and when it was her time to speak, she went on about the dangers of leisure suits. It was hilarious, which was typical of Diane. So very intelligent, beautiful, and gracious. Take care, my dear, you'll never be forgotten...

Tippi (Kelly) Demaria

August 5, 2022

I went to Holy Trinity School with Diane in San Pedro. I spent time at her home, and still see her mom at mass. She was such a vibrant personality! Always fun and active at school...who else would wear pantyhose with her uniform to school in the 7th grade? I was in awe of her at that young age...sincerest sympathy to her boys and the whole family.

Ann Christensen Moore

July 28, 2022

I remember Diane as a little sister of the girls next door. When we would walk to Taper Avenue during the summer she would walk between Carol and I and we would sing "I want to hold your hand". Everytime we said hand we pick her up and swing her forward. Our condolences to her boys and her entire family.

Debbie Gaskin Russo

July 27, 2022

I´m saddened to hear of Diane´s passing. We were all neighbors growing up for several years. Sending heart felt condolences to Gloria, Ann, Carol, and Don and families. May she Rest In Peace

Vic Christensen

July 27, 2022

So sorry to hear of this, Diane and I were nextdoor neighbors growing up. Condolences to her family.

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