Dianne Wooten Keil

Dianne Wooten Keil was born on July 6, 1939 in Tyler, Texas, to Colquitt Clarkston "Pop" Wooten and Mattie Louise Burden "MaLou" Wooten. The family lived in Tyler, Abilene, Lubbock, and Tulsa before settling in Bellaire, Texas. Dianne was second born of five children; her four siblings survive her – David and wife Marilyn Wooten of Newport Beach, California; Sue Wooten of Bellaire, Texas; Mike and wife Patti Wooten of Allen, Texas; and Noel Wooten of La Grange, Texas. Dianne is also survived by her son Philip Keil and his wife Stacy Miller of Austin, Texas; her son David Keil and his wife Jenny Keil of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and her three grandchildren, who lovingly called her "GranD": Christian Keil (27), Evan Keil (23), and Kelly Keil (20). In addition to her two sons, three grandchildren, three grand-doggies, and four siblings, Dianne is survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews; devoted caregivers; and cherished lifelong friends.

Dianne attended Lamar High School in Houston and freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Rice University, where she graduated in 1962 with a degree in English. She married Conrad Keil in 1961, with whom she had her two children; they divorced in 1999. Together they moved over 15 times, living in Houston and Brownsville, Texas; Luling, Louisiana; Charleston, West Virginia; and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Dianne later moved to Minnesota to be near her grandchildren, and returned to her beloved native Texas in 2011.

Dianne loved family, friends, tennis, travel, reading, and many arts and crafts, including the arts of Kumihimo, knitting, and papermaking. She was a teacher during her years in Texas and Louisiana, began graduate studies in West Virginia, and served for years as a librarian at Valley Forge Junior High School. She was constantly involved with community volunteer activities, usually centered around her children and grandchildren: scout den-mother, PTA leader, little league cheerleader, and school aide. She had a lifelong passion for education and reading, always had a few books underway, and passed on her love of books to her children and grandchildren.

Dianne passed away peacefully in her Austin home on the afternoon of September 26th 2018, surrounded by loving family, after several special days spent visiting, reminiscing, storytelling, and sharing. She will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to the American Diabetes Association. (www.diabetes.org).