Diana Gayle Carpenter

Diana Gayle Carpenter passed away peacefully on April 14, 2020 at the age of 72. She was born to Milton and Alice Onken in Cuero, Texas, but her destiny lay in San Antonio, where she lived the rest of her life. She attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Gerard’s Catholic High School in 1965. Not satisfied with a diploma, she graduated from UTSA and later earned her master’s degree in Theology from the Oblate School of Theology.

For over 35 years, Diana had a very successful career working in the Archdiocese of San Antonio at a number of parishes and Catholic Schools. She brought her administrative skills to St. Pius X, Our Lady of Grace, Blessed Sacrament, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes, where she held numerous positions which included Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Assistant. She is remembered for her work with various parish organizations such as RCIA, ACTS, and many young adult and youth groups. Diana loved to organize vacation bible schools, family retreats, and celebrations in each of these parishes.

She was also a teacher of numerous subjects, including religion, at St. Pius X, Antonian College Preparatory, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Diana’s proudest achievements, however, are her three sons, whom she helped shape and form into the responsible men they have become. All of her sons attended St. Pius X Catholic School and graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School. She was always involved in each of her son’s sporting activities, continually attending games or dropping off and picking up from practice. She even found time to coach a few soccer teams.

Even though Diana worked at other parishes in San Antonio, she always considered her home parish to be St. Pius X. Diana and her family joined the parish in 1976, and as a family, the Carpenters’ lives revolved around the school and parish activities. Pot luck dinners, family celebration nights during the summer, spaghetti dinners, youth group dances, family retreats, annual arts and crafts festivals, and serving the parish as altar servers are some of the things that Diana thought were important for instilling a sense of community and service in her beloved boys.

More importantly, especially to her boys and those who knew and loved her, Diana was a beautiful, kind, and honest human being. Her smile would light up a room. She will be remembered as a strong and loving mother, beloved Grandmother, loyal friend, and a devout Catholic.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents Milton and Alice Onken. She is survived by three sons, Jeff (Patty), Brian, and Chris (Vanessa). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Garrett, Emily, Kaleigh, and Brianna. Her brother, David Onken (Judy) and her nephews Price and Reed also survive her.

Her family is eternally grateful to the staffs at Adante Senior Living - Independent and Assisted Living, Poet’s Walk, and Generous Home Care for lovingly and tenderly caring for Diana over the past two and half years.

Due to the limitations and restrictions of the current COVID-19 pandemic, funeral services will be private. A celebration of Diana's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org/site/Donation.