Drene’ DelCarlo

Shining Star 1996

Drené Del Carlo, born December 21, 1931, lived in San Francisco for over sixty years, loved the excitement of the City and traveled to Europe every chance she could get. Drené graduated from University of the Pacific and worked for nearly forty years as a registered nurse specializing as a Chief EEG/ Neurodiagnostic Technician for a variety of hospitals, including, Presbyterian Medical Center, Marin General Hospital, Ross General Hospital and the University of California Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Drené was well-known and respected in the field of cardiovascular surgery for her expertise, support for the surgical team and passion for teaching. Drené’s second love was her devotion to swing dance. Drené was one of the founding members of the San Francisco Bay Swingers Dance Club traveling the country performing in dance competitions and promoting the art of swing dance. She was also a founding board member for the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Drené was inducted in the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 1992 for her long-term enthusiasm and commitment to swing dance. Drené’s lifelong love of music drove her to be a regular at the annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Rain or shine, Drené danced in her seat or in the aisle at every Festival since its inception. Because of her adoration of jazz music and extensive knowledge of the art, Drené was also a staff worker for the trade magazine “DownBeat.” Drené is survived by her devoted sister and lifelong friend, Louise Del Carlo, her loving nieces and nephews: Leo Del Carlo Jr.; Roy Del Carlo Jr.; Leona Jensen; Gerald Del Carlo; Robert Del Carlo and Debra Del Carlo, her cousin Roberto Topi and dozens of great nieces, nephews and cousins. Drené is also survived by many wonderful and loving friends who made her life so vibrant and exciting. Drené’s passion for life, quick wit, love of music and dance, desire to travel the world will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.