Diane Marie Mock Bily

Diane was born November 19, 1960 in Houston, Texas, the second of four children, and the only daughter. As a child, she loved visiting her grandparents and playing with her many cousins. At the age of nine, she moved with her family to a small farm in Frydek, near Sealy, Texas. She grew up in a tight-knit community, learned the value of hard work with farm chores before and after school, and immersed herself in many church and school activities. She truly enjoyed music, playing a variety of instruments with her mom’s accordion band at Czech and family gatherings, as well as clarinet and saxophone in the school band. She graduated with honors in the Class of 1979 from Sealy High School.

Diane left home to attend Texas A&M University, College Station and earned an education degree in Instruction & Curriculum with an emphasis on math and chemistry. After graduation, she taught high school math in Caldwell, Texas. She took great pride in finding original ways to connect with her students and make math “real” in their lives.

While at Texas A&M, Diane met fellow Aggie and future husband, Stephen. Bonding over college survival, country dancing at the Hall of Fame, weekend hiking and canoe trips, good friends, and college graduation, they married on June 4, 1983. Their marriage is a testament to dedication, devotion, and true love.

Diane and Stephen moved to Austin and began growing a family, and Diane became a full time mom for her three children. She supported her children in many ways: helping with homework, volunteering at their schools, serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, volunteering with Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, and cheering at all of the various band and sporting events.

As her children grew up, Diane eventually took a role as a full time parish secretary at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. She always had warm greetings for anyone that visited or called the church office. Helping with the inner workings of church and community operations, she put her organizational skills to good use in many ways such as scheduling church groups and coordinating weddings.

With her deep Catholic faith, it is not surprising that Diane was very involved in her church community. Over the years at St. Catherine of Siena, she taught religious education, served as an usher, and as a eucharistic minister. She was very involved in the ACTS community. After attending a retreat, she returned for several more as a team member and eventually as retreat director. No matter where she was serving, Diane always met everyone with a smile and ensured they knew they were welcome.

Diane shared her faith on a personal level and brought others to Christ. She deeply valued her Bible Study group, being connected with them for many decades. She graciously sponsored her son-in-law as he learned about and converted to the Catholic faith. And her godchildren often commented about the wise words she would share as their godmother.

In her spare time beyond volunteering and serving at the church, Diane could be found crafting, tending the garden or baking family recipes. When it came to crafts, she was up for just about anything. She sewed Halloween costumes, needle-pointed many family members’ ring bearer pillows, and led Girl Scouts through a wide variety of crafts. Her upbringing on a farm could be seen in her efforts in the garden where she cultivated cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more. In the kitchen, she carried on family recipes like berry custard pie and cheese pie. During the Christmas season, she baked a variety of treats with friends and family as an annual tradition. She felt like she finally mastered kolaches when she became a grandma.

Spending time and creating memories with friends and family brought Diane great joy. Whether it was summer day trips in the Texas Hill Country, skiing in New Mexico, cruising to Cozumel, or viewing a total solar eclipse in Oregon, Diane had a knack for planning ahead and enjoying the moment with her family. Later in life, she took up running. She trained with her “sole sisters” from church and even inspired her children to run with her too! She went on to complete four half-marathons. She treasured the connections forged with others about life, spirituality, and things beyond running.

Diane lived her life with grace and tenacity. She set goals, made plans, and encouraged everyone around her, especially her children and family members. She also trusted God in the plans He had for her. Through the pain and medical challenges caused by her cancer treatment, Diane remained faithful and used these challenges to grow closer to her faith and family.

Diane is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Stephen Bily; her three children: Julie Lowe (Christopher) of Sealy, Texas, Christopher Bily (Erika) of Tomball, Texas, and Laura Bily of Austin, Texas; her three grandchildren: Michael Bily, Madison Bily, and Mackenzie Bily; her mother, Martha Mock, of Sealy, Texas; and her siblings, Patrick Mock (Alexandra) of Encinitas, California, George Mock (Renee) of Sugarland, Texas, and Martin Mock (Elizabeth) of La Center, Washington; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Charles Mock.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Weed-Corley-Fish South Chapel, 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704 with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM, Monday, November 27, 2023 at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road, Austin, Texas 78749. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Bily family.