Diane Marie Houston

Diane Marie (Delaney) Houston of Carrollton, Texas passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026 comforted by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert Hall Houston, and her children, Hope Marie (Houston) Hirshorn and David Hall Houston. Diane lived her life in light of eternity, devoted to her Catholic faith, her family, and the broader community with unfailing trust and confidence in the promise that one day she would dance into eternity embraced into the arms of the Heavenly Father.

Diane was born on August 7, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York to Mabel Irene (Byrne) Delaney and Joseph Patrick Delaney. From Brooklyn, her family settled in Pelham, New York where Diane attended St. Catherine’s Elementary School and graduated from the Ursuline Academy in New Rochelle in 1957. Diane received her B.A. in English at the College of New Rochelle in 1961 and her M.A. in English from Fordham University in 1964. Diane began a teaching career and at various points taught English, French, Math, and ESL. Later in life, she pursued her passion for service and ministry by attaining a Certificate in Gerontology, UTD Health Science Center December 1987 and then became a Board Certified Chaplain and a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Diane married the love of her life, Robert Hall Houston, on April 27, 1963 at St.Catherine’s Church in Pelham, NY. The couple settled in Ossining, NY where they raised their family. While staying home to nurture her children, Diane undertook many volunteer pursuits. When her husband Robert accepted an opportunity to relocate to Dallas in 1983, the family moved to Carrollton, TX. This move inspired Diane to continue her passion for ministry and Diane served as a chaplain from age 59-80. Diane was also an active member of her parish, St. Catherine of Sienna.

Beyond these educational, vocational, and ministerial pursuits, Diane desired to be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, and joyful grandmother and great grandmother. Her family will remember her for her unfailing love of God, country, family, and friends, and indeed, all humanity. She lived as she died, dancing into eternity, surrounded by the loving presence of her beloved family and friends.

Diane is survived by her husband, Robert Hall Houston, her children Hope Marie (Houston) Hirshorn and David Hall Houston, her grandchildren: Grace (Eduardo Paramo), Sarah (Patrick Coughlin), Emily (Andre Cote-Barch), Joseph (fiance Tonianne Zottoli), Daniel, and Brendan; and her great grandchildren, Sophia and Henry Coughlin, and Eleanor Cote-Barch. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mabel Delaney, and her brother Thomas Joseph Delaney. The mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 11:00am and a private burial service will be held for the family at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.