Dr. Diane Yvonne Cummings received a B.A. in Music Education from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1974, followed by her Master's degree in Music Education, also from UND. 

She taught at Mayville State University (ND) as well as in the Elk River, MN school district, and then moved to Arizona where she graduated from Arizona State University (ASU), receiving her Doctorate in Music Education. 

She was also a music professor at ASU. Diane accepted a teaching position at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas in 1983, where she taught for 41 years, retiring in 2024.

Diane is remembered for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of music education, as a sought-after church organist, a highly respected and favorite teacher at Trinity University, an international speaker-teacher, the author of two books as well as many articles, the beloved director of handbell choirs, and winner of numerous awards in her profession. 

She was preceded in death by her father and by her sister-in-law.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. Robert Persellin, her mother, and four siblings, her two step-daughters and their children, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at Trinity University Chapel on February 8, 2025.