Diane Marie O'Connor

Born October 8, 1949 in DeKalb, Ill., Diane was little sister to Sue Ann Dixson who preceded her in death along with parents Charles and Ruth Dixson. She enjoyed a humble mid-western upbringing graduating from Hinckley-Big Rock High School. Deep friendships were formed during her time in Hinckley and continued throughout Diane’s life - a testament to tried and true friends. Here, Diane welcomed her daughters, Kari and Patrice, and began a life of dedication as a life-long caregiver.

Diane is survived by her husband Patrick, daughters Kari (Dennis) Vanek and Patrice (Bill) White, beloved granddaughters Ashly (Austin) Ocanas, Megan White and Hannah White, great grandchildren Anna and Adam Ocanas, sister-in-law Peggy (Brad) Van Kampen, brothers-in-law Michael O’Connor and Terry (Tracie) O’Connor, nieces Erin O’Connor, Toni Holewinski and Anna Holewinski along with nephews Kyle O’Connor and Kevin O’Connor.

In 1982 Diane and her daughters made their way to Houston where Diane began her career with what is now the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, serving as the Audio/Video/Media Director for 33 years. It was during this time she logged a trip to Rome to witness Bishop Daniel DiNardo elevate to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

Travel was a source of joy for Diane. She would see 47 U.S. states in her lifetime, missing only Delaware, New Hampshire, and Maine. She and Pat honeymooned in Hawaii, and she shared an Alaskan cruise with Pat, Kari and Dennis. Together they would treat their granddaughters to their own trips to Disney World, making memories to last a lifetime.

Family was Diane’s passion. Always dedicated to her daughters and husband, that family grew as did the size of her heart. She could be found enthusiastically cheering on her granddaughters at sporting events, attending recitals and performances of any family member, and providing unwavering support for anyone’s faith formation. She cared for her sister Sue for several years prior to Sue’s death and was the ultimate caregiver to Pat’s grandmother, Roberta Darnell, also famously known by everyone as Nana, who lived to be 103. She was also the beloved daughter-in-law to Wanda and Buddy O’Connor with whom she washed many a holiday dish and played endless rounds of cards.

Laughter could be found around the Bunco table where friendships turned into travel adventures with the girls who gathered. Galveston was a popular destination for these good times that often erupted in infectious laughter, walks along the beach and of course good food and drink. The ties that were bound among this group of women connect each of them in so many unspoken ways. Ways that were deeply important to Diane.

Always ready with a smile and a kind word, her softness will be greatly missed.

A family visitation will be held Tuesday, October 22nd from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478 with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 a.m. a funeral mass will be held at St. Laurence Catholic Church 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 with a light reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be to SoleLoved.org in Diane's name.