Obituary of Diane Colleen Phillips

Diane Colleen Phillips, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away peacefully in La Porte on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the age of 59.  She fought a long, brave, positive fight against cancer that she was determined to win but ultimately, God had better plans.  Diane is preceded in death by her mother, Gayle Thompson Phillips; grandparents, Leonard Britton and Eluese Phillips, Charles Thompson, and Travis Thompson Atkinson; aunt, Hilda Phillips; and uncle, Chuck Thompson.  Left to cherish her memory are her father, Britton Phillips; sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jeff Wade; sister, Dena Michna; nephews and niece, Craig and Kaitlin Wade, Jennifer Wade, Shane and Sydney Michna, Cody and Selene Michna, Casey Michna; great nieces, Emberlee and Coralee Youngblood; uncle, Tommy Phillips; aunt, Susan Thompson; several cousins, and many, many friends.  Diane wholeheartedly embodied the roles of daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, and friend.

Through her work with Garden Terrace Fort Worth Alzheimer’s Center (as Activities Director), Camp Fire USA (as Camp Director), Fort Worth ISD (as Outdoor Learning Center Director), and her volunteerism with TERA-Texas Experiential Resources Association (as Conference Coordinator and Presenter), and more, Diane impacted the lives of thousands of people of all ages throughout the years. She enjoyed planning trips and traveling with friends, planning activities for those she worked with, watching sports (UT, TCU, SHSU), tailgating with friends, decorating and dressing up for every holiday, preparing and giving gifts to friends and family, organizing everything, playing games and watching game shows, and laughing.  She gave of herself selflessly and always gave 200% in anything she did. The effects of her creativity, teaching, inspiration, challenges, fun, and good works have been felt throughout the state and nation and will continue to be felt for years to come by many.

Diane graduated from La Porte High School in 1982, attended San Jacinto College, and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1986. Diane lived her life on her terms and at her pace and always made the world a better place just by being herself.

A visitation and rosary for Diane will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in La Porte, Texas. The rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm. The visitation is scheduled from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in La Porte, with Father Jim Courville officiating. Interment is scheduled for 3:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas.

For those desiring to do so, the family suggests that contributions be made to one of the following or to the charity of your choice in Diane’s name:

*The Phillips Family Scholarship, c/o The La Porte Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1272, La Porte, TX  77572-1272, or www.lpisdef.org to donate online (put Phillips Family Scholarship in notation)

    Scholarship will be given to students at La Porte High School who are pursuing careers in health care,  

    education, fine arts, or outdoor education.

*American Cancer Society