Diane Lea Brown (born Kassis) of Burnet, TX. passed away on May 5, 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. She lived in Burnet, Texas with her loving husband Bob Brown, after retiring to the Hill Country from Plano, Texas.
She was the oldest of six children of Bill and Gail Kassis in Sacramento, CA.
A graduate of UCLA, she began her career as a dietitian, working in VA hospitals. She later went back to school to earn her teaching credentials and a Master’s in education from UT-Dallas. She taught middle school science at Haggard Middle School in Plano for 18 years before retiring.
Diane was an extraordinary woman who both loved adventure and loved routine. After college she and Bob volunteered with the Peace Corps in Guatemala. She advised a local hospital on patient diets and lived in a two-room adobe home that only had running water one hour a day. But somehow, this is the same woman who later ate an identical lunch every day for 30 years—wheat bread sandwich with two pieces of turkey lunch meat, baby carrots, fruit, and milk.
She was an avid bicyclist, taking many days or weeks long bike trips with Bob, her kids, and friends. She was religious in her cycling, striving to ride 10 miles a day every day. She recorded each mile she ever rode: 136,635 miles.
She loved wine, exercise, and the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team (especially Devonte Graham). She would get so nervous for every Kansas basketball game, and was thrilled with their final four appearance this year.
Diane and Bob did everything together—biking on their tandem, traveling the world, and enjoying their granddaughter. Her family and friends will miss her terribly.
She is survived by her husband Bob, children Jessica (Andy) Brown and Derek (Abby) Brown, granddaughter Anne Howlett, her siblings Judy (Scott) Kassis, Chris (Kris) Kassis, Brian (Kari) Kassis, Shelley (Rich) Carlson, and Mark (Renee) Kassis, her numerous nieces and nephews, family, and friends.
A reception and memorial service will be held for Diane at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet TX. on May 19th, 2018. The reception will start at 2pm, and will be followed by the memorial service at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Diane’s honor to the Legal Aid Justice Center of Charlottesville, VA. Diane was an avid supporter of their cause.
Condolences may be offered to www.clementswilcoxburnet.com
