Diane Scott Morgan Bertini, 72, of Gulf Breeze died April 5, 2018, at Bay Breeze Senior Living. Proud of her identity as an "Air Force brat," she was born in Wakefield, Mich., August 15, 1945, the day WWII ended. She grew up in Alaska, California, and Puerto Rico before settling in Fort Walton Beach where her father was commander of Strategic Air Command's B-52 squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. The oldest of four children, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood that included family vacations visiting landmarks in multiple states and a Panama Canal cruise.

While preparing for a choral performance at Choctawhatchee High School, she met a classmate's older brother, an Auburn engineering student who was their sound equipment volunteer. They married in February 1965 and moved to Auburn where she worked in the college bookstore.

After graduation, they returned to Fort Walton Beach where they started a family and founded Morgan Consulting, Inc. and its division, Morgan Data Systems, engineering firms designing and manufacturing electronic systems for the Department of Defense and NASA. Primarily a stay-at-home mom and occasional hospital volunteer, Diane also worked at the company assembling electronic components, training employees, and helping with payroll.

In the summers, she would take her children to her parents' farm in Michigan where she enjoyed riding horses, picking wild daisies, and flying with her father in his red Cessna which was hangared in the barn. It was big excitement to watch the bears from the air.

After her marriage ended in December 1979, she began working at Sears, which she often referred to as "cheap entertainment" for the funny and bizarre stories. A natural salesperson, she won many sales awards, breaking several records. She remained single for the next 30 years, entertaining friends by playing the piano and organ, and enjoying dates of sailing, flying, and dancing. One of her favorite outings involved hanging upside down in an open cockpit biplane. She always said she would wing-walk if given the chance.

Much to everyone's surprise, after retirement from a 30-year career at Sears, in February 2010 Diane married retired Air Force veteran and widower Lido Bertini. Diane loved air shows, pipe organ concerts, traveling, cruises, and attending her grandchildren's dance and music recitals, but there was nothing she loved more than a good restaurant meal with Lee, who survives her.

Diane survived the tragic brain cancer death of her 24-year-old son John Tyler Morgan III in 1991, and upon her own fatal cancer diagnosis, emulated his resilient, positive spirit by maintaining her sense of humor and enjoying each moment of life until the end. Departing before her were her beloved parents James and Mary Ann Scott; brother Robert Scott; and brother-in-law Arthur Ranta. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie (Michael) Kane; grandchildren David and Erin Kane; brother James (Beth) Scott; sister Elizabeth Ranta; sister-in-law Suzanne Sewell Scott; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private remembrance will be held in Michigan. Flowers respectfully declined. If you'd like to honor Diane, spend your money instead on a good restaurant meal with family, have some laughs, order dessert, and leave a big tip.

Published Online in Northwest Florida Daily News on Apr. 8, 2018