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Dianna Elizabeth Felan, known as Beth to her family, entered into the arms of our Lord very suddenly, early Thursday morning on December 18, 2008, following a massive heart attack. Her loss has been devastating to all who knew her and all who were touched by her. A native San Antonian, Dianna Elizabeth was born on December 1, 1951, and had recently celebrated her 57th birthday. As the eldest daughter of Benita and Juan Francisco Felan, Beth grew up on the Southside of San Antonio with four sisters and three brothers and attended Hillcrest and Burbank Schools. Her father, a World War II Veteran, passed away when Beth was a teenager. As the oldest child in the household, Beth took it upon herself to assist her mother in the rearing of her younger brothers and sisters. It was during this time that her passion for cooking was kindled and her culinary talents flourished. Beth earned a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from Incarnate Word College in 1973 and taught at Riley Elementary School and McCollum High School for a short while before pursuing other ventures. She proudly enlisted in the United States Army in 1978 and served 10 years as a Vietnamese Voice Interceptor attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in the Army, she earned her Master's degree and was awarded a number of service citations including the Overseas Service Ribbon and Sharpshooting Ribbons for the M-16 and Hand Grenade. Following her discharge, she worked for Alamo Federal Credit Union for eight years and followed that with almost twelve years at USAA working in Bankruptcy and Recovery. Beth was an incredible cook and had a love of fine cuisine, wine and spirits. Often, love and devotion for her family and friends was expressed by her through the aromas, flavors and presentation of a unique dish prepared specifically by her with them in mind. Beth was also an avid gardener. She would save used coffee grounds, eggshells, rinds of watermelon…anything she could to create compost to fertilize her garden. Her sunflowers stood ten feet tall towering towards the sky in her backyard, where she would tend to her own herbs and nurtured fresh vegetables that eventually adorned the plate of yet another savory kitchen creation. Not only did Beth adore family, friends, kitchen and garden but she was a true lover of her animal counterparts. She had a soft spot for animals and cared for a number of cats and dogs throughout her life. A real advocate for animals, Beth went out of her way to help abandoned or neglected animals. Her beloved dog, Inky Ann, held a special place in her heart. We'll miss hearing her ask, "Do you love my dog?" to anyone who entered her home. Beth lived with and took care of her mother, Benita, known to her family as Momo. They would shop together, eat together, watch television together, cook, clean, laugh and cry together. If you'd see one, you'd see the other, and more often than not, Inky Ann would be there too, frantically yapping at the world. Beth loved her family and leaves behind her mother: Benita; four sisters: Rosie, Lucinda, Sandra and Felina; three brothers: James, Juan and Leo; sixteen nieces and nephews: Michael, Marisa, Felanna, Michele, Carla, Arthur, John Russell, Matthew, Nicole, Renita, Elaina, Angelique, Sarah, Jennifer, Layla, and April; seven great nieces and nephews: Brandon, Brian, Georgia Rose, Samuel, Danielle, Trip and Aubrey; and of course, her beloved dogs, Inky Ann and Abby. Dianna Elizabeth Felan lived her life with flair and by her own rules. Her unique contribution to this world will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Tributes

Dianna Elizabeth Felan

December 1, 1951 - December 18, 2008