Diane Shea Obituary, In Loving Memory Of Diane Shea
Diane Shea Obituary, Death – Kerrville, Texas – On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the world lost a remarkable woman, Diane Palmer Shea, at the age of 84. Surrounded by her family at River Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center in Kerrville, Texas, Diane gracefully transitioned into the loving embrace of Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Born on October 12, 1939, in Brownsville, Texas, Diane’s journey was a testament to adventure, love, and a commitment to making a positive impact on those around her.
Diane’s early years were marked by the transient life of a hotel manager’s daughter, moving across various Texas cities. The experiences shaped her into an adaptable and sociable individual who valued the importance of making friends in new places. She attended the University of Texas in Austin, where she met and married the love of her life, Bill Shea, on a blind date. Despite initial objections, Diane and Bill embarked on a journey that spanned 64 years, filled with love, laughter, and shared adventures.
Her life in Weslaco, Texas, was a tapestry of roles and accomplishments. Diane was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Bill were youth group leaders and Diane taught Sunday School for 22 years at First Presbyterian Church of Weslaco and in Spanish at San Pablo Presbyterian Church. Her professional journey included serving as the purchasing agent and textbook custodian for the Weslaco School District, where she pursued her passion for cooking. Diane’s culinary journey took her to Paris, France, where she studied at the La Varenne and Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Schools. Under the guidance of culinary greats like James Beard, Jacques Pepin, and Paul Prudhomme, she honed her skills.
Returning to Weslaco, she opened the Diane Shea Cooking School, eventually venturing into catering and establishing herself as the Rio Grande Valley’s premier caterer alongside her partner Mary Martin. Her legacy extended beyond the culinary realm; Diane was a Cub Scout leader, an Elder at The First Presbyterian Church of Weslaco, and an Executive Chef, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Texas Chefs Association and the Rio Grande Valley Chapter. In retirement, she and Bill spent fourteen years in Kerrville, where Diane continued using her cooking talents and leadership skills at Hosanna Lutheran Church.
Di Di, as she was lovingly called, is remembered for her passion for fabulous food, her stories of growing up, her attention to detail, her drive and determination, her professionalism, her positive outlook, and most of all, her love for Christ and her sweet husband Bill and their wonderful family. She is survived by her spouse, William (Bill) Shea, son Jeff (Karen) Shea of San Antonio, daughter Laura (Larry) Williams of McAllen, grandchildren David (Megan) Shea of San Antonio, Matthew (Sarah) Shea of Plano, Bailey Williams Gibb of Houston, Katey Shea of San Antonio, Joseph Williams of The Colony, and three great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Diane is also survived by her sister, Dale Bray (Tom) of Bozeman, Montana.
A Memorial Service in celebration of Diane’s life will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow. As family and friends gather to pay tribute to Diane Palmer Shea, they remember a woman whose culinary talents, love for family, and unwavering faith enriched the lives of all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love and memories she created throughout her extraordinary life.
