Services set for Delaine Eastin, June 24, in Sacramento

Westminster Presbyterian Church will host a tribute to the former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Services for Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction and a longtime Davisite, will be held June 24 at 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 N Street in Sacramento.

Billed as a "Tribute to the life and legacy of Delaine Eastin," the service will include reflections, remembrances, music and community to honor her contributions to California for generations to come.

Eastin died April 23 at the age of 76.

According to a statement released by those closest to her, "Delaine will be remembered for her boundless intellect, infinitely compassionate spirit, sharp sense of humor and courageous leadership in local, state, national and international realms, which still sets the foundation for public policy in our state. Her love of education, children, animals, gardens and the arts shined through everything that she did. Delaine's legacy lives on in each of us through her mentorship and friendship."

Eastin, a UC Davis graduate who was later selected as Picnic Day Parade Marshal, was the fifth woman in California history to be elected to statewide constitutional office, and remains the only woman to serve as Superintendent of Public Instruction, caring for six million K-12 students in over 10,000 public schools.

According to Eastin's close friend and former Davis Mayor Ann Evans, "Delaine was the best friend someone could ask for, full of life, laughter and love. She loved to spin a yarn, recite poetry and travel. In her down time, she loved to read, garden and cook, as well as watch sports."

Added Evans, "Many of her recipes came from her father's side of the family that hailed from Kentucky. Thus, her Kentucky Fried Chicken was the best I've ever had. She was keen to offer empathy, support and love to those down on their luck, experiencing the loss of a loved one or facing a challenge. And she was a mentor to many."

In 2018 Eastin told The Los Angeles Times during her bid to be California governor, "Education changed my life forever. I want that for every kid."

In a story about Eastin's life and legacy, Los Angeles Times reporter Seema Mehta quoted former State Senator DeDe Alpert as saying,"Boy was I lucky. In 1990 I was a brand new Assemblywoman and Delaine took me under her wing. Her knowledge and leadership skills helped me with policy issues and politics. At a time when there weren't many women in the Legislature, she was a wonderful leader who made it her job to bring along the newer women members. She was so generous with her time and talent."

According to Mehta's story, in 2023 Eastin told the Orange County Register that one male Assemblymember referred to the legislative women's caucus as the 'Lipstick Caucus" before eventually issuing an apology to Eastin and others.

Known for her wit, during a gubernatorial debate when she was asked about student testing, Eastin replied, "You don't fatten a hog by weighing it more often."

Eastin's public service and social justice activism extended to her adopted hometown of Davis, where she lived for the last 25 years.

She was a Pence Board member, supported the Davis Farmers Market Farm to School Program and hosted many fundraisers at her home for DJUSD school bonds and individual school board members.

Eastin was also a member of the Davis Community Church. She was proud of her faith, loved her faith community, and her faith served as a solid rock in her life.

Noted Evans, the former Davis mayor and close friend of Eastin, "Delaine was a born nurturer. She had compassion for every child in California and there was nothing she wouldn't do for her friends. She felt our democracy was best preserved through a well educated citizenry.

"Her charisma was such that she commanded attention when she walked into a room, but she never lost sight of the one person standing in front of her with whom she was talking. She was humble and hard working and believed in the power of one person to make a difference - and that she did."

Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com