Gene Tyler Dietrich

She is predeceased by her parents, Virginia (Hess) Tyler and John Clifton Tyler, Jr., and is survived by her brother, John Clifton Tyler, III, and his wife, Sally Jane; daughters, Paige (Hibbert) Thomas, and Jillian (Dietrich) Atherton and her husband, Aaron Robert; granddaughters, Hadlee Hayden Atherton, Larkin Tyler Thomas, and her father, Clinton Anderson Thomas.

Gene graduated from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, in 1963. She began her career in New York City as a staff member of the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, then became a fashion model there for Dynasty of Hong Kong Furs. She returned to Houston to become a stewardess for Trans-Texas Airways, the first major airline started in Texas. Later, Gene enjoyed being a fashion model for Sakowitz and frequently modeled at the Sky Terrace. She married Houston independent oilman Richard W. Hibbert in Houston in 1967. They shared ten exciting years together, mutually enjoying Acapulco, Galveston, Kentucky, thoroughbred horses, and tennis. In 1981, Gene married engineer James K. Dietrich in Houston. Their lovely daughter, Jillian, believes that “she was not only the best mom in the world, but in the truest sense, my very best friend.”

Gene will be remembered as a uniquely beautiful, generous-to-a-fault mother who gave her children unconditional love. She was a great cook, excellent hostess, creative artist, loving mother, grandmother and loyal friend to those who knew her.

Gene’s family would like to thank her dear friend, Karen Davis, for her years of focused and selfless support. They also thank her caregivers, June Alleyne, Merle Harry, Theresa Boutte and Ruth Edgehill for their devotion and kind attention to Gene. The family would like to thank the Duer family for their kind support of Paige through the long illness of her mother.

The family gathered for a private memorial service on Friday morning, the 22nd of January, with Rev. Clive Berkman officiating.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Gene’s name be directed to: U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Pediatric Cancer Research, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210.